The World - News from Oct. 16, 1988

Right-wing former allies of Chile’s military ruler, Gen. Augusto Pinochet, said they are willing to consider opposition demands for constitutional changes aimed at speeding a return to democracy. Francisco Bulnes, a leader of the top right-wing party, National Renovation, and Patricio Phillips, another ex-Pinochet supporter, said reform proposals are being studied. On Friday, a coalition of 16 opposition parties appealed directly to the armed forces to sidestep Pinochet and negotiate “urgent changes” in the constitution to allow early elections. Pinochet, who lost a recent plebiscite on extending his rule for another eight years, has said the constitution will not be changed.