DATE=3/29/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247346
TITLE=BRITAIN/PINOCHET (S/L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  BRITAIN'S HIGH COURT SAYS HOME (INTERIOR) SECRETARY JACK 
STRAW HAS UNTIL APRIL 15TH TO DECIDE IF THE EXTRADITION CASE MAY 
PROCEED AGAINST FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET.  SPAIN 
HAS REQUESTED BRITAIN TURN OVER MR. PINOCHET TO STAND TRIAL ON A 
VARIETY OF CHARGES.  CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM 
LONDON MR. PINOCHET'S LAWYERS ARE FIGHTING TO HAVE THE CASE 
DISMISSED.

TEXT:  HOME SECRETARY JACK STRAW SAYS HE NEEDS THE EXTRA TIME TO 
REVIEW THE CASE AFTER LAST WEEK'S HOUSE OF LORDS RULING THAT 
EXTRADITION OF THE FORMER CHILEAN RULER COULD ONLY BE BASED ON 
ALLEGED CRIMES COMMITTED AFTER 1988.  THAT'S WHEN BRITAIN SIGNED 
THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON TORTURE.

BESIDES THE DELAY GRANTED TO MR. STRAW, THE COURT ALSO AGREED TO 
LET MR. PINOCHET'S LAWYERS APPEAL MR. STRAW'S ORDER -- ISSUED 
LAST DECEMBER -- TO LET THE EXTRADITION CASE PROCEED.   THE 
LAWYERS ARGUE THE NEW LAW LORDS' RULING ELIMINATES MOST OF THE 
CHARGES AGAINST AUGUSTO PINOCHET.

THE SPANISH JUDGE SEEKING HIS EXTRADITION IS PRESENTING ANOTHER 
30 CASES OF TORTURE AND MURDER, WHICH HE SAYS MEET THE LAW LORDS'
NEW CONDITIONS.

                /// OPT THE REST FOR LONG CR ///

SPANISH JUDGE BALTAZAR GARZON HAD REQUESTED MR. PINOCHET'S 
EXTRADITION LAST OCTOBER ON CHARGES OF TORTURE, MURDER AND THE 
DISAPPEARANCE OF CHILEANS AND OTHER NATIONALS -- INCLUDING 
SPANIARDS -- DURING HIS 17-YEAR RULE.  THE FORMER GENERAL WAS 
ARRESTED WHILE RECOVERING FROM BACK SURGERY AT A LONDON CLINIC 
LAST OCTOBER.

LAST NOVEMBER, THE HOUSE OF LORDS RULED THAT GENERAL PINOCHET 
COULD FACE EXTRADITION, EVEN AS A FORMER HEAD OF STATE NORMALLY 
IMMUNE TO SUCH PROSECUTION.  BUT THAT RULING WAS OVERTURNED AFTER
IT WAS REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE FIVE JUDGES ON THE PANEL HAS 
LINKS TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, WHICH HAS 
LONG CAMPAIGNED TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST GENERAL PINOCHET.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS THEN RECONSIDERED THE CASE.  LAST WEEK AN 
EXPANDED SEVEN-JUDGE PANEL RULED THAT MR. PINOCHET IS NOT IMMUNE 
FROM EXTRADITION ON CHARGES OF CRIMES COMMITTED AFTER BRITAIN 
SIGNED THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON TORTURE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/PCF



29-Mar-99 9:07 AM EST (1407 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.