CHILE AMENDS PINOCHET-DRAFTED CONSTITUTION
17 August 2005

Chile's President Ricardo Lagos proclaimed the event marked "a day of national joy and unity", adding that Chile would now be "a full member of the democratic" community of nations. The new constitution will come into force on 17 September, the eve of Chile's national independence day.

A joint session of Chile's senate and lower house voted 150-3 with one abtention to reform the constitution instituted by military dictator Augusto Pinochet in 1980, through a referendum process tainted by political persecution, detentions and strict censorship.

Changes to the nation's supreme law include restoration of the president's right to fire top military commanders. Nine appointed senate seats, including four assigned to military and police officials, were also abolished, meaning more representative democracy.

The new amendments strip the National Security Council of much of its imposing power, reducing its influence to that of an advisory panel for the President, whereas its military leaders previously had as much decision-making power on the council as the President and 3 other cabinet officials.

The changes mark an important milestone in Chile's progress away from the dark legacy of military rule. The particular effect of the amended constitution will be to restore civilian control of Chile's military, securing the civil democratic process and buffering the nation against future threats of military control.

Reformist President Ricardo Lagos, a member of the opposition to Pinochet, will now be remembered for ushering in the democratizing legal reform. The name of the dictator will be removed from the document, signalling Chile's departure from under the shadow of his hardline policies. [For more: CNN]