DATE=11/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242158
TITLE=PINOCHET / REACT (L) - CQ
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET HAS LOST HIS 
LEGAL BATTLE AS BRITAIN'S HIGHEST COURT HAS RULED THREE TO TWO 
AGAINST GIVING HIM IMMUNITY FROM EXTRADITION.  V-O-A 
CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS THE NEWS BROUGHT 
CHEERS AND JEERS.

TEXT:  CHEERING ERUPTED OUTSIDE THE HOUSE OF LORDS AS SOON AS THE
RULING AGAINST MR. PINOCHET BECAME CLEAR.  

               ///  CHEERING ACT - FADE UNDER  ///

CHILEAN EXILES IN THE CROWD COULD  NOT  HOLD BACK THEIR TEARS OF 
JOY.

                     ///  VOICES - ACT  ///

         THIS IS WONDERFUL.  IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY ANYTHING 
         BECAUSE IT TRANSCENDS WORDS BECAUSE IT'S PURE EMOTION, 
         MEMORIES.

         IT'S A VICTORY FOR THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY, NEVER AGAIN 
         IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN ANY WAY

         IF THERE'S ANY JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD, THIS IS THE ONLY 
         VERDICT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN

                        ///  END ACT  ///

///  OPT  ///   EXILES AND  RELATIVES OF VICTIMS OF MR PINOCHET'S
GOVERNMENT WARNED THE FORMER GENERAL HE MUST GO TO TRIAL .

                   /// OPT  //  CHANTING  ///

         NOW IS THE TIME TO PAY FOR YOUR CRIMES

                        ///  END ACT / //

///  OPT  ///   THE RULING TO DEPRIVE MR .PINOCHET OF IMMUNITY 
NOW OPENS THE WAY FOR HIS POSSIBLE EXTRADITION TO SPAIN.  
BRITAIN'S HOME SECRETARY -- THE COUNTRY'S JUSTICE MINISTER -- 
WILL HAVE TO DECIDE ON THAT ACTION BY NEXT WEDNESDAY.

///  OPT  ///   A SPANISH JUDGE WANTS GENERAL PINOCHET TO FACE 
CHARGES OF THE TORTURE, MURDER, AND DISAPPEARANCE OF THOUSANDS OF
CHILEANS AND OTHER NATIONALS AFTER HE SEIZED POWER IN A BLOODY 
1973 COUP.   OTHER EUROPEAN NATIONS, INCLUDING FRANCE AND 
SWITZERLAND,  HAVE ALSO REQUESTED HIS EXTRADITION ON SIMILAR 
CHARGES.   /// END OPT  ///

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CALLS THE RULING A WAKE-UP CALL FOR TYRANTS 
AROUND THE WORLD.  AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SEES IT AS A LANDMARK 
BREAKTHROUGH AGAINST IMPUNITY.

   ///  OPT  ///  CHANTING ACT - IN SPANISH - FADE UNDER  ///

CHILEANS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS DEMONSTRATING IN FRONT OF THE
HOUSE OF LORDS CALL IT A VICTORY FOR THE CHILEAN PEOPLE.   /// 
END OPT  ///

NOT EVERYONE WELCOMES THE RULING.   FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
MARGARET THATCHER -- A FRIEND OF THE FORMER GENERAL --  SAYS MR 
PINOCHET SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GO HOME.  IN SANTIAGO, MR. 
PINOCHET'S SON CALLS THE VERDICT A SADISTIC AND CRUEL BLOW ON HIS
FATHER'S 83RD BIRTHDAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/JWH/JO

25-Nov-98 2:57 PM EST (1957 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.