◆ SpookStack

The Agency did not conduct covert action operations in support of either of the two democratic candidates who opposed Salvador Allende in the 1970 presidential election. Our role in the election was limited to an effort to denigrate Allende and his popular Unity gJp) coalition during the campaign for whichQ) was authorized. After Allende's inauguration, U. S. policy was to maintain maximum covert pressure to prevent the Allende regime from perpetuating itself in power. Under this policy the 40 Committee approved financial support totaling $6,699,166 for Chilean political parties, media, . and private sector organizations opposed to the Allende regime. Funds channeled to opposition political parties in Chile enabled them to approve their internal organizations, IgN and to compete successfully in a number of congressional by-elections. These congressional elections were considered by both the UP and the opposi- tion as a form of plebiscite to determine whether or not the government had a popular mandate to continue the implementation of its revolutionary program. Our support of the opposition confederation in the 1973 congressional elections was described having been of vital l. importance in enabling them to campaign strongly and to win 54.74 of the total vote. Funds authorized by the 40 Committee were also used to insure the continued existence of an independent newspaper which acted as an effective rallying-point for opposition forces. Limited support was also made available to private sector organizations, but because some of these groups began to try to provoke a military coup, our funding was confined to