DATE=3/24/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247091
TITLE=PINOCHET RULING (L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  BRITAIN'S HOUSE OF LORDS HAS RULED THAT FORMER CHILEAN 
LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET IS  NOT  PROTECTED BY DIPLOMATIC  
IMMUNITY AND CAN FACE EXTRADITION TO  SPAIN.  BUT V-O-A 
CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THE LAW LORDS 
SAY EXTRADITION WOULD BE ONLY VALID FOR CHARGES OF TORTURE 
COMMITTED AFTER 1988.

TEXT:  THE FINAL RULING BY SIX TO ONE SAYS MR. PINOCHET CAN FACE 
EXTRADITION TO SPAIN ON CHARGES OF TORTURE AND CONSPIRACY TO 
TORTURE FOR ALLEGED CRIMES COMMITTED AFTER SEPTEMBER 1988. 

ONE LAW LORD EXPLAINS THAT IS WHEN BRITAIN RATIFIED THE 
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE.

                 ///  OPT //  LAW LORD ACT  ///

         THE MAJORITY, THEREFORE, CONSIDERS THAT SENATOR PINOCHET
         CAN BE EXTRADITED ONLY FOR THE EXTRADITION CRIMES OF 
         TORTURE AND CONSPIRACY ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED 
         AFTER THE EIGHTH OF SEPTEMBER 1988. 

                         /// END ACT ///

PIERRE SANE OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SAYS HE IS SATISFIED WITH 
THE JUDGMENT.

                       ///  SANE ACT  ///

         I THINK THAT EVEN IF THE NUMBER OF CASES IS LIMITED DUE 
         TO THIS TECHNICALITY, AS LONG AS SOME OF THE VICTIMS CAN
         BRING THEIR CASES INTO A COURT OF LAW, BE HEARD, AND THE
         INFORMATION BE SHARED, AND JUSTICE BE METED OUT, THIS IS
         A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

                        ///  END ACT  ///

AN EARLIER JUDGMENT BY THE LAW LORDS ALSO RULED THAT MR. PINOCHET
IS NOT  IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION AND CAN FACE EXTRADITION.  BUT 
THE EARLIER RULING WAS SET ASIDE BECAUSE OF ONE JUDGE'S LINKS TO 
THE HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION.

CHILEAN EXILES WAITING OUTSIDE THE HOUSE OF LORDS FOR THE VERDICT
BROKE INTO LOUD CHEERING, BEATING DRUMS IN CELEBRATION.

                ///  APPLAUSE AND EXILE ACTS  ///

         I'M RECONCILED WITH BRITISH JUSTICE AGAIN. I THINK THIS 
         IS GOING TO HAVE INTERNATIONAL CONSEQUENCES AND NOW 
         DICTATORS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE GOING TO THINK TWICE 
         BEFORE OPENING TORTURE CENTERS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY 
         CAN BE JUDGED.

         THE FAMILIES OF THE DISAPPEARED ARE THE ONES WHO DESERVE
         THE VICTORY BECAUSE IT'S A VICTORY AND ALSO FOR THE 
         HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENTS IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

                       ///  END ACTS  ///

THE LAW LORDS' RULING OPENS THE WAY FOR THE EXTRADITION CASE 
AGAINST MR. PINOCHET TO GO AHEAD BUT SEVERELY LIMITS THE NUMBER 
OF CHARGES AGAINST HIM.  A SPANISH JUDGE HAS ACCUSED THE FORMER 
CHILEAN RULER OF THE MURDER, TORTURE AND DISAPPEARANCE OF 
CHILEANS AND OTHER NATIONALS AFTER HE SEIZED POWER IN A BLOODY 
COUP IN 1973.  (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/JWH

24-Mar-99 11:34 AM EST (1634 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.