Скачать или смотреть CHILE: PINOCHET'S FUTURE TO BE DECIDED

(20 Jan 2000) Spanish/Nat

Augusto Pinochet's political future, as well as that of his health and reputation, has yet to be decided in Chile, where he holds the title of Senator for Life.

Right-wing politicians are preparing to welcome him back in to the fold as an honorary member of their party for all they say he did for Chile.

But his adversaries view Pinochet's possible return to the Senate as a mockery.

Chile's seat of democratic power lies some 80 kilometres west of the capital Santiago, in the coastal city of Valparaiso.

It was here where the former dictator, General Augusto Pinochet, was made Senator for Life and here he will return to, should he choose to resume his already long political career.

Colleagues of the right-wing Democratic and Independent Union Party (U-P-I) are eager to prepare their welcome.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We will welcome with joy and satisfaction the fact that this whole affair is over or that the unjust and unagreeable nature of it is over for this country."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Victor Perez, Democratic and Independent Union

The U-P-I see Pinochet's position as an honorary one for all he has done.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"But, today, the General Pinochet does not constitute a political leader in the traditional meaning of the word. Therefore he doesn't have a role in Chilean politics. He does not have a political force, he has a moral force and a force based on gratitude and recognition of the person to whom we are indebted. And we share with him what was the government of the armed forces."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Victor Perez, Democratic and Independent Union

It remains to be seen whether Pinochet is both fit enough and willing to resume his seat, and the limelight that goes with it.

He has been through a lot in past months, since his arrest in London.

Some politicians are totally against it.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I don't foresee Pinochet returning to the Senate. If that turns out to be the case, it will be a mockery of the Chilean dignity."
SUPER CAPTION: Deputy Juan Pablo Letelier (son of Orlando - Salvador Allende's Ambassador to the United States who was assassinated)

The former dictator's reputation as a man of steel has not thwarted political satire in Chile, where he often figures as an amusing character in national newspaper cartoons.

Cartoonists are grateful for the material provided by Pinochet's case in England.

Still, Chileans do not underestimate the weight of authority that their former leader continues to wield.

Rocha, the cartoonist for centrist newspaper La Tercera, still takes care not to offend either the right- or the left-wing sensibilities.

Particularly as Pinochet's possible return is likely to provoke great controversy.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"The problems of human rights, for which everyone rightfully has an opinion, and all that aside, he is charismatic as a person. As an object for my work, seeing him as an object, helps my work. I mean, you can take Pinochet and put him in a situation, as I am going to do for tomorrow or as I have done in other occasions, which helps."
SUPER CAPTION: Rocha, Cartoonist

Thousands clamoured on Sunday for a Pinochet trial as they celebrated socialist Ricardo Lagos's presidential win.

The theme of human rights remains a serious one, but Pinochet now has a firm place in the halls of political satire.

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