Top Generals hold emergency meet

SANTIAGO (CHILE), DEC. 2. The action of a Chilean judge, ordering the arrest of the former dictator, Gen. Augusto Pinochet, has thrown the country into a crisis with fears of action by the military forces which are still faithful to their former leader.

While human rights activists marched passively through downtown Santiago, about two dozen Generals in the army and national police went into a huddle at an emergency meeting in Santiago, local television reported. The Army Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Ricardo Izurieta, plans to meet the Defence Minister, Mr. Mario Fernandez, Government sources said. ``This situation is causing tension in our society to the point where it is really critical, and this is worrisome,'' said the Navy Chief Jorge Arancibia.

Judge Juan Guzman ordered the arrest for allegedly planning and organising the deaths and/or disappearances of 77 leftists and union leaders, the human rights lawyer, Mr. Jose Galiano said. The 77 were alleged to be victims of the ``death caravan'', a military squad in a helicopter that landed in selected towns in Chile, particularly in the north, in the initial days after Gen. Pinochet's Sept. 1973 coup.

A date has not been set for the trial, which if carried out, would be Gen. Pinochet's first and undoubtedly Chile's most important. Gen. Pinochet's legal team has said it will file a motion to block his arrest.

Court sources said Gen. Pinochet (85), had not yet been told of the arrest warrant when it was announced. The Pinochet Foundation said he was in Bucalemu, 130 km west of Santiago. ``This disappoints me. Without even questioning him, Pinochet is being put on trial,'' said Gen. Pinochet's adviser, Mr. Fernando Barros.

The human rights lawyer, Mr. Eduardo Contreras, cried victory. ``I can't hide the emotion I feel upon seeing an unbiased judge apply the law. Chileans are not afraid to judge a dictator,'' he said. The Government reiterated its stance that the country's justice system must work independently. ``The most important thing is that Chileans are equal under the law. We must let the courts do their job,'' said a Government spokesman.

For years, opponents have wanted to try Gen. Pinochet, but the nation's courts refused to open cases against him. It was not until January 1998, when the Communist party filed a lawsuit against him that crusader Guzman decided to investigate.

Mr. Guzman, who has travelled the country digging up unidentified corpses believed to be killed by the military during the dictatorship, is now examining more than 180 lawsuits against Gen. Pinochet and some of his colleagues. According to an official report, 3,197 people died or disappeared and are presumed dead in political violence during Gen. Pinochet's 17- year rule.

Mr. Guzman's latest order caught Chile by surprise because Gen. Pinochet was first expected to undergo psychological tests, legally required in Chile for anyone over 70 who faces a trial. Gen. Pinochet could escape trial if they show he is mad or demented.

- Reuters

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Section  : International
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