Chilean dictator finally dead.

[bellinghman]

So Pinochet has finally died, never brought to justice.

His funeral could be interesting, if it's a state one.

Comments

[uitlander]

Mass grave under a football stadium?

[jacobsmills.livejournal.com]

Maybe it just my 80's nostalgia tendency kicking in, but I am waiting for Maggie Thatcher's reaction.

[jacobsmills.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am replying to myself here, but this just in...
Pinochet death saddens Thatcher

[knell.livejournal.com]

Margaret Beckett's response on behalf of the Foreign Office (and hence Her Majesty's current government) was a bit less gushing (according to the PA story):

"We note the passing of General Pinochet and want to pay tribute to the remarkable progress that Chile has made over the last 15 years as an open, stable and prosperous democracy."

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

Meeeow!

[xnamkrad.livejournal.com]

from the BBC article
"The former Conservative chancellor Lord Lamont, who opposed Pinochet's arrest, said Pinochet had had human rights issues to answer, but he had believed he should answer them in Chile - not Britain or Spain.
Lord Lamont opposed arrest on the basis that the Chilean government felt it would be an interference in Chilean affairs.
He also said arresting a head of state would have set a precedent "that would be very wrong". "
Wonder how he feels about a head of state being arrested, tried, and given the death sentence? (not that Saddam doesnt deserve it, I just love the double standards - and yes Saddam was worse etc)

[clanwilliam.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who once stunned a London dinner party into silence by commenting, when her bracelet was admired, "Oh, General Pinochet gave it to me." [1]

[1] She was eight when the gift was given and her father was a foreign ambassador who specialised in Coping Well With Dictators.