LOS LÍMITES DE LA “COMPRENSIÓN”: LA EMBAJADA CHILENA EN BONN Y EL GOBIERNO DE HELMUT KOHL (1983-88)

This article deals with the response the Chilean military regi me gave to international isolation and to the solidarity campaign with the opposition abroad, addressing the work done by the Chilean Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), between 1983 and 1988. The main focus is on Chilean diplomacy’s appraisal of German political world’s attitude towards the regime, its assessment of the existing spaces of action, and the relationship-building activity implemented in order to obtain the support of German politicians. The article argues that such initiatives found a response moderately positive from the Federal Government, characterized by a good degree of “understanding” for Chilean arguments. Anyway, this response was very constrained by the strong bond existing between Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s CDU and the Chilean Christian Democracy, as well by the general guidelines of German policy towards Chile, aimed at fostering a democratic transition. In face of this situation, the Chilean regime had to lowerits expectations from the task of obtaining a favorable position to Chile in 1983, to achieve certain neutrality by the German government on the eve of the plebiscite. Keywords: Chilean military regime, Federal Republic of Germany, international isolation, international solidarity cam- paign.