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SV ZOOM OUT Crowd at rally with banners
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SV Crowd ZOOM INTO poster for Tomic, Christian Democrat leader
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SV Crowd chanting
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SV Tonic on platform, TILT TO waving crowd
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Initials BB/2240 TH/AW/BB/2333



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: On Sunday the voters of Chile get a chance to pass judgement on two years rule by their Socialist-Communist government. Their vote in the Congressional elections could give Marxist President Salvador Allende a freer hand to build a Socialist society -- or force his resignation.

If the opposition alliance of the Christian Democrats and the right-wing National Party increases its majority in the two houses of Congress, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, it could pass a censure motion forcing Dr. Allende's resignation.

During the campaign, the opposition parties have been attacking the government for soaring prices and inflation in Chile. But though the groups within the government coalition have been coordinating their efforts during the campaign, the opposition has been holding separate meetings -- held together chiefly by the desire to oppose Dr. Allende.

One of the biggest of the separate opposition rallies was hold by the Christian Democrats on Wednesday (February 28). Among those addressing the thousands of supporters was the man who ran against Dr. Allende in the 1970 presidential election, Senor Radimiro Tonic.

SYNOPSIS: As Sunday's vital Congressional elections approached in Chile, the opposition Christian Democratic party wound up its campaign with a huge rally in Santiago. If the combined opposition of the Christian Democrats and the right-wing National Party can build up a two-thirds majority in the two houses of Congress, they could force the resignation of Marxist President Salvador Allende.

Wednesday's rally was addressed by Senor Radimiro Tonic, the Christian Democrat candidate who ran against Dr. Allende in 1970. But though the opposition parties have been holding separate rallies under their different banners, the Socialist-Communist groups of Dr. Allende's government have fought a closely coordinated campaign.