CHILE: CHILE'S TOP LEADERS ATTEND 69TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL AIR FORCE IN SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR FORMER DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET

Record ID: 335673

  • Title: CHILE: CHILE'S TOP LEADERS ATTEND 69TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL AIR FORCE IN SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR FORMER DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET
  • Date: 22nd March 1999
  • Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (MARCH 22, 1999) (RTN - ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS PEOPLE WALKING ON STREETS/ MAN READING NEWSPAPER HEADLINES (3 SHOTS) 0.15 2. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (SPANISH) Man on street says "It is negative for our image as a country if he is not allowed to be tried here." 0.23 3. SLV PEOPLE READING HEADLINES ON PINOCHET RULING 0.30 4. SCU (
  • Embargoed: 6th April 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SANTIAGO, CHILE
  • Country: Chile
  • Reuters ID: LVAB5AVNXCA3STHRKS5UJT1EJB5R
  • Story Text: In a show of support for former Chilean Dictator
    Augusto Pinochet, many of the country's leaders have attended
    the 69th anniversary of the national air force.

    Just days ahead of a landmark ruling by Britain's top
    court on whether former dictator Augusto Pinochet must face
    extradition to Spain, opinion on his fate is polarised in his
    home capital Santiago.

    There will undoubtedly be demonstrations whatever the court
    decision as Pinochet, 83, who ruled Chile with an iron fist
    between 1973-1990, ignites passions in this otherwise quiet,
    Latin American country.

    Since his arrest in London on October 16 on a warrant from
    Spain accusing him of involvement in the torture and deaths of
    more than 3,000 people, there have been nightly pro-Pinochet
    protests outside the British and Spanish embassies in
    Santiago.

    Santiago has also seen dozens of marches and demonstrations.

    Opinion on the street is split.Some calling for Pinochet
    to be tried in Chile while others are in favour of the
    sternest treatment by European courts.

    Chile's government, which has intervened on Pinochet's
    behalf claiming that any probe or trial should take place in
    his native country, called last week for citizens to be calm
    and not let their tempers fray.

    Military leaders have already voiced their concern and
    local newspapers reported on Sunday that it was likely that
    the heads of the armed forces would call a meeting of the
    National Security Council if the ruling goes against the
    army's father figure.

    The head of Chile's military forces sent a strong message
    on Monday (March 22) to foreign countries that he charges are
    interfering in Chile's sovereignty.

    Speaking during the 69th anniversary of the national
    military, Military Chief Fernando Rojos Vender said Chile
    could not ignore "what truly symbolizes a precedence in the
    future of Chile's international relations, which is a full
    disregard to our constitutionality."
    President Eduardo Frei was among the important dignitaries
    who attended the ceremony, which many viewed as a show of
    support for the former dictator.

    Pinochet, who was arrested in a British hospital bed while
    convalescing from minor back surgery, maintains his innocence
    and is under house arrest outside London.
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