The Chilean Supreme Court has stripped former General/Dictator/President/Senator Augusto Pinochet of his immunity from prosecution for the torture of political activists and ordinary Chilean civilians in the 1970s. An estimated 3,000 Chileans were killed during Pinochet's 17-year rule of terror (1973-1990).
In an unbelievable full-circle, the current president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet and her mother were victims of Pinochet's infamous Villa Grimaldi prison in the 1970s.
But the debates in Chile are not so clear cut. Some still view him as a "necessary evil" -- he was able to jump start the Chilean economy through sometimes brutal neo-liberal reform. He ultimately relinquished the presidency peacefully after a mis-calculated plebscite that voted him out of office. He was able to command power, however, until 1998 as army commander-in-chief.
So, is Pinochet evil? or should he be revered as a "savior of the nation". After all, Chile is doing very well economically today, and it is a democracy. Should Pinochet be tried for his crimes against Chile or should be be pronouced a hero?
Saturday, September 09, 2006
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