THE U.S., PINOCHET, AND THE TRANSITION BACK

On March 11th of this year, Ricardo Lagos was sworn in as Chile's third democratically elected president since the military coup that unseated democracy in 1973. Lagos, a center socialist, ironically was one of the untold numbers of people jailed by order of the coup leader, Augusto Pinochet, and of the same party as the overthrown president, Salvador Allende. Beginning in 1998, Spain and several other European countries have sought extradition of Pinochet (from Britain where he was seeking medical care) to stand trial for crimes against their citizens who resided in Chile during the regime (1973 - 1990). Presumably because of health reasons, and confusion as to pertinent international law, Pinochet returned to Chile on March 3rd after 17 months of detention to a full dress welcome prepared and almost solely attended by the military leftover from his rule. Lagos did not show, neither did Pinochet attend Lagos inauguration. Chile's Supreme Court is presently reviewing whether Pinochet's Senator for Life status and his self granted amnesty from war crimes in his 1989 constitution, preclude charges in Chile for human rights violations a

gainst its citizens, as well as international criminal charges under the auspices of the World Court. Lagos has stated that constitutionally, the decision is a judicial rather than an executive one.1Such a stand is telling. Ten years of democratic leadership has prepared Chile to address the "Pinochet issue" respective of its constitution. While Lagos and the people of Chile attempt to focus on constitutional, economic and social reform, the legacy of Pinochet remains.

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Approximate Word count = 1810
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)