The World - News from Aug. 1, 1988

An American human rights organization charged the Chilean government of Gen. Augusto Pinochet with exerting an “extraordinary degree” of intimidation before the presidential plebiscite this fall. Americas Watch said in a report released in New York and based on interviews and research between March, 1987, and June, 1988, that one in every five people arrested last year in other than mass arrests were tortured. It said six died in custody while five others disappeared, 12 were killed in security operations and hundreds of people in 1987 and 1988 received death threats. Pinochet is seeking a yes vote on the plebiscite, which is due to be held in three to four months, to extend his term in office.