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The ETUÇ decided in November to set up a standing committee to strengthen contacts with trade union organima- tions in Spain and with the aim of promoting democracy in Spain. The British Government may wish to encourage a general view among governments in Western Europe that a quick transition is desirable to an open democratic system with free elections and participation by political parties, and with full trade union freedoms.
Chile
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The new issues concerning Chile might be raised. The first concerns the continued detention of Dr. Sheila Cassidy who was arrested in Santiago on November 1, allegedly for treating a wounded fugitive member of the MIR party.
The British Government have protested at the arrest and pressed that she be released or properly charged, so far unsuccessfully.
The second concerns the dissolution by the regime of the Chilean Interdenominational Co-operation Committee for Peace, and the arrest of a number of officials of the Committee. The Committee is the main source and channel of humanitarian and legal aid for trade unionists and others in Chile, and the TUC are contributing £2,000 towards the cost of a relief cargo for Chile organised by CUT.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary might be asked whether he will indicate to the regime the importance attached in this country to the existence and unhampered operation of relief organisations.
Another issue concerns the failure of the Chilean authorities to follow the recommendations of the ILO Fact- Finding and Conciliation Commission set up to investigato complaints about breaches of trade union rights in Chile. The regime admit that the rights to collective bargaining, to strike, and to hold trade union elections are suspended under a declared state of siege. They have not responded to recommendations concerning the restoration of trade union assets, ending the government takeover of unions in the teaching profession, returning to normal the financial situation of certain rural workers' organisations, and making it possible for these organisations to resume their activities.