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Pinochet
Archive News
- Previous news relating to the General from the LondonNet newsdesk
(17/12/98)
Pinochet Given Fresh Hope by Lords
- Lords order fresh Law Lords hearing in January
- Hoffman's failure to disclose Amnesty link blows extradition,
for now
AUGUSTO Pinochet took a step closer to freedom today when
an appeal hearing at the Lords ruled in his favour.
The appeal judges ruled that Lord Hoffman's failure to disclose
his link to Amnesty International could be seen to have prejudiced
the General's right to a fair hearing. There will now be a new
Law Lords hearing in January. This will re-consider the Crown's
appeal from the High Court decision which ruled that Pinochet
could not face prosecution as enjoyed sovereign immunity.
At the first Lords appeal Lord Hoffman joined two others in
a majority decision refusing sovereign immunity and allowing
the extradition to continue. Now Hoffman is under fire from his
opponents and anti-Pinochet groups for blowing the initial appeal.
What do you think?
Should Pinochet now be extradited to Spain to face chages
of murder, torture and genocide?
- Have your say today on our News
Talkback bulletin board.
(15/12/98)
Pinochet Lawyers in New Appeal to Lords
- Legal team argue first 'bias' Law Lords ruling should
be set aside
- Crown will argue Lord Hoffman's connection to Amnesty was public
knowledge
LAWYERS acting for Augusto Pinochet are back at the House
of Lords today in an attempt to overturn a previous Law Lord
ruling allowing the extradition process to proceed against their
client.
They will argue that the original decision should be set aside
because one of the five presiding Law Lords, Lord Hoffman, failed
to declare association with human rights group Amnesty International.
Hoffman chairs a fund raising body which supports Amnesty. Pinochet's
team argue that because of this link there is potential for the
appearance or existence of bias.
However, it has been revealed that Kingsley Napley, the London
based law firm who make up the bulk of Pinochet's legal team,
were aware of Hoffman's connection to Amnesty in February. They
received a letter sent to law firms across the UK in which the
Lord Chancellor asked for donations for a new home for Amnesty.
The letter clearly states that Lord Hoffman was the chairman
of the fund raising body, Amnesty's International Charity. Kingsley
Napley accept that they donated a thousand pounds following this
appeal.
Later this week there will be an appeal over Home Secretary
Jack Straw's decision to allow the formal extradition hearings
to proceed.
(14/12/98)
Hoffman Targeted By Pinochet's Team
- Amnesty link centre of appeal to overturn Law Lords
extradition ruling
- Falkland Islanders bear brunt of Chilean sanctions
AUGUSTO Pinochet's legal team will focus on the link between
Lord Hoffman and human rights group Amnesty International in
their appeal due to start later this week.
In what is likely to be the first of a series of appeals,
the former Chilean leader's lawyers will seek for the Law Lords
ruling in favour of extradition to be set aside. Hoffman helped
tip the balance to a three to two majority in the Lords decision.
He is a director of a fund raising charity linked to Amnesty,
who contributed submissions to the Law Lords.
Falkland Islanders are among those to suffer most from Chilean
sanctions against Britain following Home Secretary Jack Straw's
decision to proceed with extradition last week. One of the main
supply and passenger routes to the South Atlantic island was
via Chile, but this service has now been suspended as part of
their sanctions package. As there are no civilian flights to
nearby Argentina, flight support will now be from the UK via
Ascension .
(10/12/98)
Pinochet's Victims Celebrate Straw's Extradition
Ruling
- Chile withdraws ambassador, Thatcher claims decision
was 'political'
- LondonNet Comment: Straw does the right thing
THERE has been mixed reaction to the news that Home Secretary
Jack Straw has decided General Augusto Pinochet should remain
in the United Kingdom pending extradition hearings.
Straw decided that there were no compassionate or other circumstances
which should halt the due process of the law. Namely the outstanding
extradition warrant from Spanish prosecutors for offences of
torture and genocide.
Victims of Pinochet's regime welcomed Straw's ruling, with
celebrations taking place in London, Chile and Spain.
Others were less pleased. Chile has withdrawn its ambassador
to the United Kingdom in protest at the decision . The US is
concerned about the ramifications of Pinochet's extradition.
Primarily it does not want details of the CIA's dirty tricks
in Chile in the 1970s being released to the public through a
trial in Spain.
Margaret Thatcher ,who had tea with General Pinochet just
days before his arrest, condemned the Home Secretary's decision.
"He had ample power to put an end to this shameful and damaging
episode. He has chosen instead to prolong it. Neither he nor
the Government can hide behind legal posturing. This was a political
decision and it represents a failure of political leadership"
she said.
The former leader must now attend a Belmarsh Magistrates Court
hearing on Friday, 11 December. There details of Pinochet's committal
will be aired with the magistrates likely to rubber stamp this
first stage in the General's formal extradition. Pinochet is
currently residing in The Wentworth Estate, a leafy private suburb
in Surrey.
- LondonNet Comment: Straw does the right thing
Jack Straw was sure to run in controversy whichever way he
ruled in the Pinochet extradition affair.
LondonNet is pleased that Straw has effectively now drawn
a line in the sand, creating a modern framework for international
law and human rights to take us into the new millennium. It would
be wrong to enter the new era saddled with the same injustices
and toleration of butchers that have dogged this bloody century.
From this moment all leaders who play fast and loose with
citizens rights can never sleep easy. This is the prime achievement
of this new world order. We now hope that truth and reconciliation
can follow for the people of Chile.
(9/12/98)
Straw Says Pinochet Must Stay in UK
- Home Secretary rules for extradition hearing to proceed
Home Secretary Jack Straw has decided that General Augusto
Pinochet should remain in the United Kingdom pending extradition
hearings.
Straw decided that there were no compassionate or other circumstances
which should halt the due process of the law. Namely the outstanding
extradition warrant from Spanish prosecutors for offences of
toture and genocide.
Pinochet is currently residing in The Wentworth Estate, a
leafy private suburb in Surrey. His lawyers will continue their
fight to allow his return to Chile.
The former leader must now attend a Bow strret Magistrates
Court hearing on Friday, 11 December.
What do you think?
Should Pinochet now be extradited to Spain to face chages
of murder, torture and genocide?
- Have your say today on our News
Talkback bulletin board.
(9/12/98)
Straw's Pinochet Decision Imminent
- Home Secretary's extradition ruling could be released
today
- Pinochet's lawyers support for Amnesty
Home Secretary Jack Straw's decision over whether to proceed
with extradition hearings for General Pinochet is imminent. It
could even be announced as early as today.
Straw must decide whether to allow the former Chilean leader
home or to allow Spain and maybe others to proceed with extradition
requests. Pinochet is currently residing in The Wentworth Estate,
a leafy private suburb in Surrey.
Following yesterday's stories about Lord Hoffman - the law
lord who is a director of Amnesty - it has now been revealed
that the legal firm, Kingsley Napley, who make up Pinochet's
team has donated funds to the human rights organisation.
What do you think?
Should Pinochet now be extradited to Spain to face chages
of murder, torture and genocide?
- Have your say today on our News
Talkback bulletin board.
(8/12/98)
Law Lord Hoffman is Amnesty Director
- Pinochet's supporters claim bias in extradition ruling
Pinochet's supporters are taking heart from reports in a newspaper
here that Lord Hoffman, one of the three Law Lords who ruled
to extradite the General, is an unpaid director for Amnesty,
the human rights organisation.
Amnesty International has confirmed that Lord Hoffman is an
unpaid director of its charitable arm. They deny that this influenced
his ruling and insist he played no role in their campaign to
extradite Pinochet.
But the strongman's lawyers are sure to use the news, reported
in the Guardian newspaper, in their continuing appeals.
(7/12/98)
Chile Won't Try Pinochet
- Chilean group casts doubt on home trial for General
A group of leading Chilean public figures including academics
and lawyers have written to a UK newspaper. They deny that General
Pinochet would face a trial in their country if he was allowed
to return home.
The signatories included Tomas Vial, formerly with the truth
commission and Sergio Espejo, former Chief of staff to the presidency
of the Christian Democrats. They argued that the former leader
had given himself rock solid amnesty from prosecution.
The Lawyers Commission for Human Rights also warned Britain
that it could see itself being prosecuted for a breach of the
Convention Against Torture if it failed to extradite Pinochet.
(2/12/98)
Pinochet Shifted out to Surrey
- 'Distressed' General moves to private estate in suburbia
- Embarrassed US seeks early return for South American strongman
GENERAL Augusto Pinochet has finally left the Grovelands Priory
Hospital in North London and moved into a posh rented house in
Surrey.
Yesterday we reported that the hospital's administrators had
asked the extradition threatened former leader to leave their
clinic as he was fit and his presence was disrupting other patients.
Pinochet's supporters have found him a rented house in the private
Wentworth estate, Virginia Water, Surrey. The exclusive area
is home showbiz celebrities Bruce Forsyth and Russ Abbot.
The General's solicitor Michael Caplan his client and his
family are 'distressed by reports concerning the Senator's stay
at Grovelands priory...the senator has always been anxious to
move from the hospital as soon as possible'. He left the clinic
last night and was escorted to his new address in Surrey by a
convoy of armed police.
Meanwhile US officials are finding it difficult maintain impartiality
over the issue of extradition. They deny that they are seeking
to pressure UK Home Secretary Jack Straw to reject the extradition
attempt. However, their Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
argued yesterday that the people of Chile were 'wrestling with
a very difficult problem of how to balance the need of justice
with the requirements of reconciliation'.
US officials are keen for the matter to end and for the General
to be returned to his country. They may be mindful of the potential
for embarrassing information to leak out if a full trial does
take place in Spain or elsewhere. Evidence will inevitably be
heard regarding the CIA's and US business's involvement in the
1973 destabilisation and violent overthrow of Allende's democratically
elected government.
(1/12/98)
Hospital Gives Pinochet his Marching Orders
- Priory says general is fit and well and his presence is disrupting
patients
THE PRIORY hospital, North London, where Augusto Pinochet
has stayed on conditional bail since his High Court action has
asked him to leave.
The hospital's officials have declared that the former Chilean
leader is "fit and no longer requires specialist medical
care". Paul Jarman, a spokesman for the clinic said "Grovelands
Priory is preparing to discharge General Pinochet from its care.
It was stated in open court...that General Pinochet was fit enough
to appear at an initial bail hearing. In the opinion of Priory
Healthcare, he no longer requires the specialist medical and
nursing care provided at Grovelands Priory".
Furthermore some patients in the hospital have complained
about the disruption caused by Pinochet and his entourage of
family, friends and advisors.
This latest twist in the strong man saga should help Home
Secretary Jack Straw dismiss claims that he should release Pinochet
on compassionate grounds.
What do you think?
Should Pinochet now be extradited to Spain to face chages
of murder, torture and genocide?
- Have your say today on our News
Talkback bulletin board.
(30/11/98)
Pinochet's Suicide Threat
- General would prefer 'coward's way out' than face justice in
Spain
- Insulza is 'lying through his teeth' about possibility of trial
in Chile says Santiago lawyer
AUGUSTO Pinochet's family have claimed that the 83 year old
would elect to commit suicide rather than face justice in Spain.
His nephew, Rafael Pinochet Savedra said "He would rather
kill himself or be killed by his guards than face the humiliation
and indignity of being sent to face trial in Spain" reports
the Mirror newspaper. The former leader's wife Lucia Hiriat de
Pinochet said "he is very weak and depressed about his position".
Since the Lords' historic ruling last week Scotland Yard have
beefed up security surrounding Pinochet, both at the North London
hospital and the Chilean Embassy.
Home Secretary Jack Straw now has until the 11th of December
to rule whether Pinochet's extradition should proceed. Over the
weekend Chile's foreign minister Jose Miguel Insulza claimed
that the General should return to his country to face charges
there. He points to the 14 outstanding cases against the general.
However, Santiago based lawyer Javier
Diaz has written to LondonNet to explain that there is no
chance of Pinochet being successfully prosecuted in Chile. Diaz
said that even in the unlikely event that the general's local
immunity from prosecution was lifted, the pressure on any trial
judge would be so great that proceedings would collapse.
"Chile's foreign affairs Secretary is lying through his
teeth when he gives assurances that Pinochet will be tried in
Chile" Diaz said. "A grandson is easily hijacked, a
car is easily rigged, a shot can easily be fired. No, no one
would ever condemn Pinochet here" he added.
"In a nutshell, if Pinochet were to stand trial in Santiago,
he would be playing with loaded dice in his favour" Diaz
concluded.
You can read the full text of Diaz's
comments in our News
Talkback section. Feel free to add your own comments too.
(27/11/98)
Chile's Foreign Minister Flies In
- Jose Miguel Insulza to meet Robin Cook in bid to free Pinochet
- Straw would like International Court to try former dictator
CHILE's Foreign Minister, Jose Miguel Insulza, is flying to
Britain to step up efforts to secure the release of their former
leader Augusto Pinochet.
Insulza plans to meet the British Foreign Secretary Robin
Cook and urge him to release the 'ailing' Senator on grounds
of compassion. Chile will also argue that the eleven outstanding
cases against the former Dictator in their own courts should
be given precedence over other countries extradition claims.
Observers here point out that the two arguments are mutually
exclusive; if the former general is too ill to stand trial here
or in Spain, then the same will apply on his return to Chile.
In a separate development, sources close to the Home Secretary
Jack Straw have suggested that ideally he would like an international
court to try Pinochet for crimes against humanity including torture
and genocide. Straw is facing increasing pressure from the right
wing establishment in the UK to release Pinochet. However, most
experts agree it is unlikely he will take this course of action.
At present Straw has until December 2nd to finalise his decision
over whether to allow the formal elements of the extradition
procedure to take their course. Until then Pinochet remains on
conditional bail at The Priory, a North London psychiatric hospital.
The former leader's supporters plan to apply at the next court
hearing for his bail conditions to be varied to allow him to
move to a private house, maybe in Oxfordshire.
What do you think?
Should Pinochet now be extradited to Spain to face chages
of murder, torture and genocide?
- Have your say today on our News
Talkback bulletin board.
(26/11/98)
Straw Asks For More Time
- Home Secretary wants seven more days to determine Pinochet's
fate
Jack Straw has asked Bow Street Magistrates Court for a seven
day extension to his deadline to determine the fate of Pinochet.
The Home Secretary cited legal complexity as the reason for
his requested delay.
At present he has until December 2nd to finalise his decision
over whether to allow the formal elements of the extradition
procedure to take their course.
(25/11/98)
Lords Rule Pinochet Should Be Extradited
- No Crown Immunity for former Dictator
- Appeal judges split three to two over controversial decision
- LondonNet Comment : Pinochet gets a lesson in the Rule of Law
General Pinochet will be extradited to Spain to face charges
of genocide, murder and torture.
In a sensational ruling three of their Lordships allowed the
Crown's appeal, with two dissenting. Now Home Secretary Jack
Straw must decide whether to rubber stamp the extradition order.
Pinochet, who celebrates his 83rd birthday today, was hoping
to return to Chile by private jet, which was waiting for him
at Brize Norton airport. Now the Ex-Chilean leader must sweat
it out as he waits to discover his fate.
There were scenes of mass jubilation outside the North London
clinic where the South American strongman was being held on bail.
Supporters of his extradition were delighted and surprised by
their Lordships' ruling. The decision overturned a High Court
ruling which argued that Pinochet enjoyed sovereign immunity
and could thus not be extradited.
Jack Straw has until December 2nd to reach a decision over
the extradition. Pinochet's lawyers will continue to argue that
the Spanish request should be ignored due to inadequacies in
the writ. They will also submit that Straw should exercise his
discretion to over rule the Lord's acceptance of the exradition
request. They will echo the former leader's friend Margaret Thatcher's
view that the 'frail, sick and old' man should be returned to
Chile.
However it is now thought unlikely that Jack Straw will usurp
the will of the Lords, the highest court in the land.
LondonNet Comment : Pinochet gets a lesson in the Rule
of Law
'You're going to reap just what you sow' sang Lou Reed at
the time of Pinochet's bloody overthrow of Salvador Allende's
government in 1973.
Twenty five years later Reed's words have returned to haunt
the South American sadist. And to the disbelief of many campaigners
here in the United Kingdom our Labour Government has finally
rediscovered its radical roots by allowing the English courts
to further the boundaries of international justice.
Aside from an ugly rabble of Pinochet supporters, be they
our ex Premier Margaret 'Milk Snatcher' Thatcher, or the sinister
Pinochet Foundation in Chile, citizens all over the world will
welcome today's historic and brave ruling. A tremor of fear will
shudder down the spine of every leader around the globe who plays
fast and loose with the human rights of their own people and
those of their foreign guests.
Pinochet may reflect that while the British have afforded
him a full and fair hearing under Common Law he extended no such
rights to those foreign citizens he tortured, mutilated and murdered
during his long stay in power. As for dissidents from his own
nation, he showed nothing but contempt. When asked a short time
before his fateful journey to Britain whether he had any regrets
over his actions, he replied yes, he wished he had been even
firmer.
Some have pressed for mercy for the strongman who today celebrates
his 83rd birthday a frail and indicted old man. But mercy can
only follow justice. The allegations of Spanish Judge Baltazar
must first be put to Pinochet. The evidence must be heard and
the truth must out. Only then can consideration of mitigating
personal circumstances be aired. That is the Rule of Law. A subject
the octogenarian will finally get a lesson in over the coming
months. Eighty three years too late but timely nonetheless.
What do you think?
Should Pinochet now be extradited to Spain to face chages
of murder, torture and genocide?
- Have your say today on our News
Talkback bulletin board.
(20/11/98)
Pinochet Case Not Political Says Aznar
- Spanish PM says charges are legal not political
THE Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar has insisted
that his country's extradition case against former Augusto Pinochet
is legal, not political.
"The Pinochet affair is a legal issue, and must not in
any way become a political issue," said Aznar.
The former Chilean dictator is currently on conditional bail
in a North London psychiatric hospital. A decision is expected
by the House of Lords next week as to whether the former ruler
will have to face charges of murder, genocide and torture in
Spain.
(18/11/98)
Lords Split in Pinochet Appeal
- Imminent decision delayed by disagreement
THE Crown's appeal to the House of Lords in the Pinochet extradition
case has been delayed by a split among the jurists.
The rumour mill indicates that their Lordships are split 3
to 2 as to whether to allow the former Chilean leader to be extradited
to Spain to face charges for murder and torture.
The Lords reserved thief judgement last week after hearing
submissions from both the Crown and Pinochet's lawyers. Their
decision is expected very soon. Meanwhile the ex-leader remains
on conditional bail in a North London psychiatric hospital.
(13/11/98)
Pinochet Hearing Over
- Lord's reserve judgement to a later date
THE Appeal by the Crown to the House of Lords, in the General
Pinochet extradition case has drawn to a close.
Thursday the five Law Lords heard closing submissions from
both the Crown's and General Pinochet's lawyers. The Crown are
seeking to overturn a 28 October 1998 High Court ruling that
threw out an extradition request from Spanish authorities.
Spain wants Pinochet to face charges relating to murder, torture
and genocide during his years as Chilean leader/dictator
(6/11/98)
Lords Hear Pinochet Case
- Crown's appeal to House of Lords continues
THE Crown's appeal to House of Lords continues in the General
Augusto Pinochet case today.
The Crown Prosecution service are appealing the earlier ruling
by the High Court that a Spanish extradition order against Pinochet
was invalid due to his 'sovereign immunity'. Prosecutors submit
that in any event the Chilean General is not immune for crimes
alleged to have been committed before his 1973 coup.
Pinochet remains on bail under armed guard in a north London
psychiatric hospital.
Human Rights Campaigners Table New Charges
in Attempt to Nail Pinochet
- Amnesty and others draft new charges to block General's release
AMNESTY International and other human rights campaigners have
been allowed to include fresh charges in the Pinochet appeal
being lodged by the Crown Prosecution Service to the House of
Lords.
They hope the new complaints will tip the balance in their
attempt to persuade Britain's senior court that Augusto Pinochet
should indeed be extradited to Spain. Other European countries
are also seeking the General's presence in court, including Switzerland,
Sweden and France. They cite cases against their own citizens
in an attempt to detract from the view that Chilean crimes should
be tried in Chile.
The Crown will argue that the High Court was wrong to rule
that the former dictator could not face prosecution because he
enjoyed sovereign immunity at the time of the alleged offences.
They will submit that this is akin to Adolf Hitler or Saddam
Hussein claiming the same for their crimes of genocide. The human
rights bodies will say that if Pinochet is set free then there
will be no teeth left for the international community to impeach
and try the world's legion of brutal leaders. (3/11/98)
General Pinochet granted conditional bail
FORMER Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet has been granted conditional
bail pending the Crown's House of Lords appeal next week. The
conditions include remaining at the North London hospital where
he was moved to Thursday and having an armed policeman with him
at all times. (30/10/98)
Pinochet Confined to London
Asylum
- General moved to psychiatric hospital under heavy police
guard
AN ambulance under heavy police guard carried General Augusto
Pinochet away from the London Clinic where he has been detained
since his arrest and placed him in the Grovelands Priory Hospital.
The London Clinic, Harley Street, was said to be unhappy with
the disruption to patients caused by the 82 year old General's
13 day detainment there. Grovelands is a leading psychiatric
hospital tucked away in Southgate, North London. Pinochet remains
under armed police guard in his new 'home'.
Reaction to the High Court judgement continued yesterday.
Germany's new Green Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, praised
"the independence of the English judiciary" but added
he had felt "great satisfaction" on hearing of Pinochet's
arrest. Meanwhile the American Association of Jurists argued
that the General did not enjoy immunity under international law
and predicted that the House of Lords would overturn Bingham's
decision next week. (30/10/98)
House of Lords Next Stop for Pinochet
- Crown appeals High Court ruling that General has immunity
- General moved from The London Clinic under heavy police guard
LAWYERS for the Crown will appeal the High Court ruling to
the House of Lords in the Pinochet case.
The three High Court Judges unanimously ruled Wednesday that
the former Chilean leader did have 'sovereign' immunity from
prosecution and that therefore his arrest and detention at the
London Clinic were unlawful. They quashed one of the two provisional
warrants and stayed the other pending the ruling next week. They
also ordered the Crown to pay the General's court costs - 350,000
UKP.
The appeal to the Lords is expected to start next week with
all parties keen to resolve the matter as soon as possible. The
ruling has not gone down well with left wing Labour MPs.
Backbencher Ken Livingstone called for Lord Chief Justice
Binghams resignation for "protecting someone who tortured
and murdered not just Spanish citizens but British citizens as
well". Pinochet's supporter were elated, Chile's deputy
Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez said "we are happy that
the British High Court has recognised the state immunity".
In a separate development an ambulance under heavy police
guard carried the General away from The London Clinic where he
has been detained since his arrest. He is believed to have been
transferred to another London hospital. (29/10/98)
Pinochet Wins High Court Ruling
- Lord Chief Justice Bingham rules Pinochet has immunity
- But General still held pending appeal to the House of Lords
Lord Chief Justice Bingham, Mr Justice Collins and Mr Justice
Richards have ruled that General Augusto Pinochet "was entitled
to diplomatic immunity as former sovereign from the criminal
and civil process of the English courts".
Spain had requested the ex-Chilean leader's extradition from
the UK to face questions and a possible trial for disappearances
of Chileans and Spaniards during his rule.
Lord Bingham added that the General must remain under arrest
"pending determination of any appeal against this decision".
Such appeal will take the place to the House of Lords should
the Crown seek to pursue the matter further.
Further extradition warrants have been received from Switzerland
and Spain and the position as to these remains unclear. (28/10/98)
High Court Decision over Pinochet nears
- Application for ailing General's release weakened by
fresh charges
- Now Swiss lodge extradition warrant for ex-Chilean leader,
Sweden set to follow
GENERAL Augusto Pinochet's position seemed to weaken yet further
Monday.
First Chilean representatives reported that his state of health
was very poor and he was not fully aware of activities surrounding
him. Then Switzerland lodged a formal extradition warrant with
British authorities - on behalf of a Swiss-Chilean student who
disappeared in 1977. With Sweden set to follow with an extradition
warrant of their own. Finally, lawyers for the Crown told judges
that fresh evidence was arriving on a daily basis.
In the High Court Pinochet's lawyer's argued that to for him
to face trial here would expose other Heads of State to similar
actions when they travel abroad. Clive Nicholls QC, for the General,
speculated that the Queen could be arrested in New York were
Argentina to issue an extradition warrant on behalf of Falklands
War victims. However, Alun Jones QC, defending the Crown's position
told the three High Court judges that fresh evidence was arriving
on a daily basis, currently pointing to as many as 4,000 murders
and disappearances.
The three judges; Lord Chief Justice Bingham, Mr Justice Collins
and Mr Justice Richards, will continue to hear further evidence
relating to the applications today. The Lord Chief Justice indicated
that they would then reserve their judgement and announce their
decision Wednesday. (27/10/98)
Pinochet
Case Goes To Court
- General's lawyers apply to High Court for his release
- Foreign Office admit ex-Chilean leader was given VIP welcome
at Heathrow
LAWYERS acting for General Augusto Pinochet return to the
High Court, London, today in an attempt to obtain his early release
and avoid extradition to Spain.
They will argue that his arrest ten days ago was unlawful
as he was head of state when the alleged crimes were committed.
They are also submitting a writ of habeas corpus to have the
82 year old released and leave to seek judicial review of the
the decision to detain him.
In a separate development of the evolving saga, it has emerged
that Pinochet was greeted at London's Heathrow airport with a
full VIP welcome, including access to an exclusive hospitality
suite. Foreign Secretary Robin Cook admitted the costly welcome
package this weekend. (26/10/98)
UK Eases Grip on Pinochet
- Government could back down over General's arrest
STATEMENTS by senior government sources yesterday seem to indicate
that it may release Pinochet on "humanitarian grounds".
The news will anger human rights campaigners who are eager
to ensure that the prosecution of the Chilean strongman goes
ahead. Yesterday they sought to persuade Spanish Judge Baltasar
Garzon to include the cases of 119 deaths at the hands of Pinochet's
regime. But Garzon is already facing pressure form his country's
chief prosecutor, Eduardo Fungairino, who is against the extradition
of Pinochet.
Meanwhile the key ministers involved , Home Secretary Jack
Straw and Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, emphasised that this
was a matter for the courts to decide, not for politicians. However
the Labour spin machine has already indicated that it may consider
releasing the General on humanitarian grounds. The politicians
are also concerned at the implications on British trade in the
region and the polarising effects the arrest is having on Chilean
society. Pro and anti Pinochet campaigners have been staging
demonstrations in Santiago since Saturday's announcement of the
General's arrest.
- Thatcher's comments cause consternation in Argentina
Yesterday's letter by ex-Premier Margaret Thatcher to the
Times newspaper in which she voiced her support for the General
- due to the help he gave during the Falklands War - has angered
Argentineans. They accuse Thatcher of brewing up anti Argentinean
hysteria in advance of the visit by their county's premier Carlos
Menem to London next week.
Argentina is also reeling at the extent to which her neighbour,
Chile, is alleged by Thatcher to have helped Britain during the
1982 conflict. Previously it was only speculation - albeit well
grounded - that Pinochet's regime allowed UK special forces to
operate from Southern Chile. She also alleges that the Chileans
helped with intelligence, providing invaluable de-coding information
to British forces. (23/10/98)
Thatcher Calls For Pinochet's Release
- Former premier says her friend the General saved hundreds
of British lives in the Falklands War
MARGARET Thatcher, ex-UK Prime Minister, has written to the
Times Newspaper calling for the immediate release of her friend
General Augusto Pinochet.
Thatcher argues that the help Pinochet's regime gave Britain
during the Falklands War should be taken into consideration in
deciding his fate. The pair are mutual admirers and good friends
and shared afternoon tea just 11 days before the octogenarian's
arrest.
- Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon calls for US to release
secret Chile files
Judge Baltasar Garzon, one of two Spanish judges leading the
investigation into the General's activities, has called for the
USA to release files relating to Chile. He has widened his inquiry
beyond the events in Chile following the overthrow of Salvador
Allende to include Pinochet's role in Operation Condor.
This top secret operation combined an international organisation
of death and terror squads run collaboratively between the military
governments of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay during
the Seventies and Eighties. The US was fully aware of Condor
and holds crucial files relating to the covert operation. The
CIA will seek to obscure its part in the overthrow of the Allende
government and subsequent support of Pinochet. (22/10/98)
UK's Chilean Exiles Seek Justice For Pinochet
in English Courts
- Victims of General set to sue here and demand Scotland
Yard to institute a British prosecution
CHILEAN exiles living in Britain have threatened to sue General
Augusto Pinochet, the arrested ex-leader of their home country.
They will seek damages for the human rights abuses committed
against his regime in the Seventies and Eighties. The Chileans
are also demanding that Britain initiates criminal proceedings
here in addition to those planned by Spanish authorities. They
presented their demands to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Paul
Condon at Scotland Yard, London, yesterday. The moves follow
news from Spain that resistance to Pinochet's extradition is
growing.
The arrest of Pinochet has brought mixed reaction from Chileans
both here and in Chile itself. Our Talkback
bulletin board has received dozens of messages, some supporting
the General , others agreeing with his imminent prosecution.
One North American wag even suggested that former US Secretary
of State Henry Kissinger should postpone any planned UK trips
indefinitely - otherwise British Police could arrest him too,
for his part in the violent overthrow of Allende's government.
(21/10/98)
Thatcher's Welcome for Pinochet
- Mutual appreciation society of ousted ex-leaders: Former
PM Margaret Thatcher had General over for tea 11 days ago
FORMER UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher entertained General
Augusto Pinochet with afternoon tea eleven days ago in her Belgravia
home.
The brutal two-some exchanged warm greetings as they met on
her doorstep then went inside to reminisce on past times. Thatcher
is eternally grateful for Pinochet's help during the Falklands
War and is said to admire his policies of economic and political
change - achieved with an iron fist. The General is a self confessed
anglophile and adopted many of Thatcher's monetarist policies,
including wholesale privatisation.
- Murder, Torture, Genocide: Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon
expands list of charges
Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon has expanded the list of charges
against General Pinochet, who is still being held in a London
hospital. The murder count on the indictment has risen from 79
to 94 including a number of Britons who vanished after being
arrested in Chile. In addition to murder charges, the 82 year
old could also stand trial for torture and genocide during his
infamous period in office.
- Jack Straw's Home Office usurped tacit Foreign Office
approval for Pinochet's trip
Rumours abound that the Pinochet arrest fell foul of tacit
Foreign Office approval for Pinochet's trip. It appears Jack
Straw's Home Office - responsible for law and order - accepted
the Spanish request to hold the General pending full extradition
proceedings, despite Robin Cook's Foreign Office knowledge and
'approval' of the visit. Straw was vehemently opposed to the
bloody coup in 1973 that removed elected Salvador Allende from
power. (20/10/98)
General Pinochet Arrested in London
- Former Chilean leader held in city hospital
- Arrest follows Spanish extradition request
- Long term British ally Chile lodges formal protest
GENERAL Augusto Pinochet has been arrested by Police in London
following an extradition request by Spain.
The 82 year old Chilean general, was leader of his country's
armed forces until March 1998, having stepped down as head of
state in 1990 following a referendum which removed him from power
in return for immunity from prosecution. Pinochet seized power
weeks after assuming control of the Chilean military. He ousted
democratically elected socialist leader Salvador Allende and
set about a reign of terror which while "stabilising"
his country, also led to the deaths of thousands of political
opponents.
Spain is seeking the extradition order in an attempt to try
Pinochet for the murder of several Spanish citizens - many Chilean
exiles - who were in opposition to his regime. The UK and Spain
now enjoy a strong reciprocal extradition arrangement as fellow
members of the European Union.
The news has had a mixed reaction in Chile. There have been
demonstrations by supporters of the general outside the British
embassy in the capital Santiago. Chile's President Frei has lodged
a formal protest saying Chileans should only be tried in Chilean
courts. Ironically Chile has long been seen as Britain's closest
ally in South America. Radical Chileans have welcomed the move.
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