◆ SpookStack

SE T/ VII. Covert Action Durin the Allende Re ime (1 971 ) After Alltnde's inauguration, 40 Committee approved'funds were 'used 'to hei'p maintain and strengthen the democratic oppo- sition, which was being systematically attacked by the govern- ment. During 1971, the 40 Committee approved over two-thirds of which was used to support the three demo- cratic parties then opposing. the government: f The Christian Democratic Party (PDC), the National Party (PN) and the smaller Democratic Radical Party (PDR). The first major tes't for the democratic opposition, which at that time was deeply divided by a legacy of m'utual suspicion and distrust, was the 4 April 1971 Municipal election. This election took place barely. six months after Allende's accession to power, during the traditional "honeymoon" period. During January and March 1971 the 40 Committee approved funds to ehable the two major opposition parties d to provide all three parties with funds for the municipal election campaign. In the election Allende's UP. coalition won 49.745 of the vote as compared to 48. 905 for the democratic opposition. This was the high water mark of Allende's strength and popularity The Allende governments' popularity declined steadily thereafter. At the time of the" military takeover 40% or less of the Chilean people supported the government. This estimate is based on the results of la'cR PR ET~