MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Santiago patrolled by 10,000 police.

The Chilean government is running no risks and will have 10,000 police and riot forces in the streets of Santiago next September 11, the thirtieth anniversary of the 1973 military coup that violently toppled elected Socialist president Salvador Allende.

Street ornamentation, benches, bus stop indicators even traffic lights are being removed to prevent damage to property in case street marches turn into violent protests, as has happened since 1990 when Chile recovered democracy.

Regular September 11 demonstrators hail the figure of the deceased Mr. Allende and condemn the military regime of his successor General Pinochet that eventually end in street fighting with Santiago's police and smashing public and private property.

The Chilean government believes this could turn out to be a quieter anniversary but Interior Minister José Insulza fears serious confrontations during the night.

However this contrasts with a general lack of interest among Chileans towards September 11 commemorations according to the latest opinion poll from Fundación Futuro indicating that 67,5% of those interviewed "are not interested in the issue", while 32,5% feels the contrary.

A vast majority of Chileans, 82,8%, admitted having seen, heard or read about the coming anniversary of the military coup, and a majority of that percentage, 56%, considers the time and space dedicated to the event "excessive", with 34% believing it has been sufficient and 10%, "too little".

The poll also reveals that the current administration of President Ricardo Lagos has a 46% support (six points increase over July), while 36% do not support it.

As to the government performance, 35% describe it as good or very good; 46% insufficient, and 18% bad or very bad.

The phone poll done September 1 and 2, included 400 people from 49 different urban areas in Chile with a 4,9% error margin.

Two ladies figure among the country's rising political figures, Defence Minister Michelle Bachelet has a 77% positive image, followed by Foreign Secretary Soledad Alvear with 71% and Santiago's mayor Joaquín Lavín, 62%.

As to the future economic situation, over half of those polled believe things will improve considerably in the coming twelve months and 19% are totally negative. Government supporters are among the most optimistic.