Changes

Fermandois argues that not only did the CIA not play a role in his death, it never intended to.  He argues that the CIA was quite shocked and caught completely by surprise at the news of Schneider's death:  "We can see the desperation in the comments of the agents in Chile because they cannot control events.  The history of those sixty days is an example of North American impotence, at least if we understand it as Washington manipulating events.  All this has a somewhat macabre colophon. When Schneider was wounded in the kidnapping attempt (he died three days later), the agents in Chile believed that the coup was unfolding, since in the new state of affairs General Valenzuela was effectively the new head."<ref>www.cepchile.cl/dms/archivo_3236_1698/r92_fermandois_ing.pdf</ref>

Fermandois argues that not only did the CIA not play a role in his death, it never intended to.  He argues that the CIA was quite shocked and caught completely by surprise at the news of Schneider's death:  "We can see the desperation in the comments of the agents in Chile because they cannot control events.  The history of those sixty days is an example of North American impotence, at least if we understand it as Washington manipulating events.  All this has a somewhat macabre colophon. When Schneider was wounded in the kidnapping attempt (he died three days later), the agents in Chile believed that the coup was unfolding, since in the new state of affairs General Valenzuela was effectively the new head."<ref>www.cepchile.cl/dms/archivo_3236_1698/r92_fermandois_ing.pdf</ref>

Hitchens, (who has praised the "valiant guerillas" of the Viet Cong and who openly admires [[Vladimir Lenin]]) has gone further than most in his condemnation of Kissinger (he is renowned for his use of hyperbole).  Although he acknowledges that the US refused to directly assist any military coup against Allende and instead sought to influence the Chilean Congress; he nevertheless asserts that Kissinger attempted to ''orchestrate'' a military coup against the Chilean government in 1970 (by contrast, most left-wing sources sensationally refer to the meetings with Chilean generals in which US officials stated that they would not cut off aid in the event of a coup, although they would not assist one, as an ''attempt to instigate'' a military take-over).  He generates this conclusion by stating that the CIA attempted to kill Schneider in 1970; it planned to make his death appear to be the work of left-wing terrorists; it hoped that this would "inspire" the Chilean military to intervene against Allende; and Kissinger was directly and personally involved in approving all of these operations.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/feb/24/pinochet.bookextracts</ref>  Kissinger has refused to debate with Hitchens, saying "''I'm not going to deal with Christopher Hitchens,''" while his colleague [[Alexander Haig]] has called Hitchens "''a sewer pipe-sucker.''"

Hitchens, (who has praised the "valiant guerillas" of the Viet Cong and who openly admires [[Vladimir Lenin]]) has gone further than most in his condemnation of Kissinger (he is renowned for his use of hyperbole).  Although he acknowledges that the US refused to directly assist any military coup against Allende and instead sought to influence the Chilean Congress; he nevertheless asserts that Kissinger attempted to ''orchestrate'' a military coup against the Chilean government in 1970.  He generates this conclusion by stating that the CIA attempted to kill Schneider in 1970; it planned to make his death appear to be the work of left-wing terrorists; it hoped that this would "inspire" the Chilean military to intervene against Allende; and Kissinger was directly and personally involved in approving all of these operations.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/feb/24/pinochet.bookextracts Hitchens' citation-free rants contain many distortions, such as the idea that the CIA put a $50,000 tag on Schneider's head (this is not supported by the Church hearings) or the absolutely ridiculous claims he makes on Cyprus by delibrately misquoting Kissinger--so read at your own peril.</ref>  Kissinger has refused to debate with Hitchens, saying "''I'm not going to deal with Christopher Hitchens,''" while his colleague [[Alexander Haig]] has called Hitchens "''a sewer pipe-sucker.''"

The death of Schneider had the opposite effect of what was intended by the Nixon administration--even as the CIA worked to buy off the Congress so as to prevent Allende's appointment, it ensured that the nation would rally behind the otherwise polarizing leader.

The death of Schneider had the opposite effect of what was intended by the Nixon administration--even as the CIA worked to buy off the Congress so as to prevent Allende's appointment, it ensured that the nation would rally behind the otherwise polarizing leader.