Pinochet opponents clash with police
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,20906863-5005361,00.htmlFrom correspondents in Santiago
December 11, 2006 07:49am
Article from: Agence France-PresseFont size: + -
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OPPONENTS of Augusto Pinochet's 1973-1990 regime clashed with police today in front of the presidential palace during celebrations of the former strongman's death.
The violence erupted when police tried to stop a crowd of more than 1000 people marching down the capital's main avenue, Alameda.
Police blasted water cannons and threw gas canisters to stop the crowd, while demonstrators fired back with stones and bottles
Thousands of people took the streets after General Pinochet died today, waving flags and honking car horns to celebrate what they called Chile's "liberation".
Meanwhile, about 2000 Pinochet supporters, some sobbing, gathered in front of the Military Hospital where he died a week after suffering a heart attack.
The Government of President Michelle Bachelet urged Chileans to demonstrate peacefully.
"We are calling on detractors and supporters who will demonstrate to do it in peace,'' said Interior Ministry Under Secretary Felipe Harboe.
A security plan was in place for reactions to the former general's death, he said.
The Secretary-General of the Government, Ricardo Lagos Weber, earlier said the administration would make sure that "a climate of calm remains in the country".
Gen Pinochet died a week after suffering a heart attack. He will have a military funeral, but Mr Lagos Weber said there would be no state funeral or national mourning.
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