The World - News from Dec. 28, 1988

For the first time since Gen. Augusto Pinochet lost an October plebiscite on his bid to stay in power, Chile’s military government has invited opponents to talks. The opposition, however, rejected the government’s conditions. Interior Minister Carlos Caceres invited three opposition leaders to meet Jan. 3 to discuss the transition to democracy after 15 years of military rule. But the government said the far-left parties in the opposition alliance would be excluded. Opposition spokesman Patricio Aylwin dismissed the demand as a pretext to ensure that the talks fail. Under the plebiscite, Pinochet must call elections for president next December and step down three months later.