Augusto Pinochet

I wish to express in the strongest possible terms my disgust at the British government in its decision not to release Augusto Pinochet (“British Judges Reject Immunity for Pinochet,” Nov. 26). Pinochet is an unsullied hero of the struggle against communism. Had it not been for him, international communism’s foothold in South America might never have been eliminated. As for those whom his regime allegedly murdered, they were all subversives and communists who deserved no different. Shame on the House of Lords.

KEMP RICHARDSON

Santa Clarita

*

I share the general revulsion toward the atrocities of the Pinochet regime, but I think that one thing missed in the discussion regarding the former dictator is the consequence of bringing him to justice. In his case, Pinochet voluntarily gave up absolute power and guided his country to the democratic status it enjoys today. In a way we don’t like to contemplate because it offends our sensibilities --sometimes the making of democracy, like the making of sausage, is a bloody mess and not a pretty sight to behold--he is the father of Chilean democracy.

If the international community succeeds in chasing him down, as it appears it will, he will be the last tyrant to attempt to reform the institutions of his country, because abdicating in the noble cause of peace, freedom and democracy will be tantamount to committing suicide. The lesson learned from this “no amnesty” policy will not be that tyrants will be punished--Saddam Hussein, happily thumbing his nose at the West has nothing to fear from us--but that ex-tyrants will have no peace; the result being that no one else will relinquish power, but hold on, whatever the cost in blood and liberty of others.

MICHAEL MacINTIRE

Glendale