Chile coup was backed by USA: Letter

Sir: Richard Gott's analogy between new Labour and Chile's Popular Unity ("Our interchangeable politicians", 5 October) is inaccurate.

The assumption that Popular Unity's "utopian incompetents" led to its downfall is ridiculous in the face of Pinochet's USA-backed military coup - a coup provoked by the very persistence and popularity of Allende's government.

The rise of the right in the Tory party seems certain with or without the help of Labour - and after 17 years of this centrifuge, a world-weary attitude to anyone who wants to oppose it is destructive.

Furthermore, what is the Labour Party to do in order to win the government experience Mr Gott suggests it lacks. Take a course?

E AUSTEN,

London.