DATE=3/26/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247229
TITLE=BRITAIN / PINOCHET (L ONLY)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE SPANISH JUDGE DEMANDING THE EXTRADITION FROM BRITAIN 
OF FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET SAYS HE HAS PRESENTED 
NEW CASES OF TORTURE AND ASSASSINATION WHICH OCCURRED AFTER 1988.
AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON, 
BRITAIN'S HOUSE OF LORDS HAS RULED THAT MR. PINOCHET CAN BE 
EXTRADITED ONLY FOR ALLEGED CRIMES COMMITTED AFTER 1988, WHEN 
BRITAIN RATIFIED A TREATY ON TORTURE..

TEXT:  THE SPANISH JUDGE, BALTASAR GARZON, HAS CRITICIZED THE LAW
LORDS' RULING WHICH LIMITS THE PERIOD OF MR. PINOCHET'S ALLEGED 
CRIMES.   BUT HE SAYS HE HAS AT LEAST 30 CASES THAT FALL WITHIN 
THAT RESTRICTION, WHICH WERE  NOT  PRESENTED IN HIS FIRST DEMAND 
FOR EXTRADITION.  THE CASES INVOLVE ALLEGATIONS OF TORTURE AND 
MURDER. 

ON WEDNESDAY, BRITAIN'S HOUSE OF LORDS RULED THE FORMER CHILEAN 
GENERAL COULD BE EXTRADITED, BUT ONLY FOR CRIMES COMMITTED AFTER 
SEPTEMBER, 1988 -- WHEN BRITAIN SIGNED THE INTERNATIONAL 
CONVENTION ON TORTURE.

THE RULING IRONICALLY HAS BEEN WELCOMED BY BOTH MR. PINOCHET'S 
SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS.  CHILEAN EXILES ARE SATISFIED HE CAN 
STILL BE PROSECUTED FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.  BUT HIS 
SUPPORTERS SAY THE REDUCED NUMBER OF CASES AGAINST HIM INCREASE 
HIS CHANCES TO RETURN HOME.

ON FRIDAY, FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER MARGARET THATCHER 
VISITED MR. PINOCHET AT HIS TEMPORARY HOME IN A LONDON SUBURB TO 
SHOW HER SUPPORT.  MRS THATCHER HAS BEEN AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF 
BRITAIN'S ARREST AND DETENTION OF THE FORMER CHILEAN RULER.  

SHE USED THE VISIT -- TELEVISED LIVE BY ONE BRITISH T-V STATION 
-- TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT DURING BRITAIN'S WAR WITH 
ARGENTINA OVER THE FALKLAND ISLANDS.  SHE LATER TOLD REPORTERS 
THE FORMER CHILEAN RULER SHOULD BE FREED AND ALLOWED TO RETURN 
HOME.

MR. PINOCHET WAS ARRESTED LAST OCTOBER WHILE RECOVERING FROM BACK
SURGERY IN A LONDON CLINIC.  SPAIN IS REQUESTING HIS EXTRADITION 
ON CHARGES OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY COMMITTED DURING HIS 
17-YEAR RULE.  

THE LAW LORDS' RULING THAT HE DOES  NOT  ENJOY DIPLOMATIC 
IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION OPENS THE WAY FOR THE EXTRADITION CASE 
AGAINST HIM TO PROCEED.  (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/JWH

26-Mar-99 12:51 PM EST (1751 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.