Chile marks 30th coup anniversary

Chileans are still divided over whether the coup was justified or not

Chileans are due to mark the 30th anniversary of the military coup which toppled the Socialist President Salvador Allende.

The coup was led by Allende's chief of staff, General Augusto Pinochet, who went on to rule the South American nation for the next 17 years.

On the eve of the anniversary a ceremony was held at the presidential palace in Santiago to honour Allende, who died in the military assault.

The memorial was attended by several hundred people, including President Ricardo Lagos and Allende's widow and daughters.

Triumph or tragedy?

The Interior Minister, José Miguel Insulza, said Allende had sacrificed his life to stay true to his ideals and that Chile remembered all those who died for a just cause during the coup.

Chileans reflect on the 1973 coup

In pictures

The BBC's South America correspondent, Elliott Gotkine, says that even now, decades on, Chileans are divided over how the event should be remembered.

For some, 11 September is a cause for celebration - the day when General Pinochet and his military machine saved the country from becoming a South American Cuba.

For many others, it is the day when the presidential palace was bombed, democracy destroyed and 17 years of often brutal military rule began.

Ceremonies

Even how much interest the public takes in this anniversary is subject to debate, our correspondent says.

A recent poll found some two thirds of the population was not interested in the commemorations, but that more than 80% had read a book, seen an exhibition or watched a programme marking the events of 30 years ago.

On the day itself, both sides have a series of marches, commemorations and prayer services planned.

General Pinochet may even make an appearance despite his apparently failing health.

The government says it does not expect any trouble, but as a precaution against possible violence it is deploying up to 30,000 police officers to patrol the streets.