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Focus on Chile: An ISLA Editorial "Not a piece of paper moves in Chile without my consent," once arrogantly declared General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte at the height of his 17-year dictatorship (1973-1990). On his 83rd birthday, November 25 1998, this once-feared man was reduced to quivering sobs as he learned that England's House of Lords had voted to revoke his "absolute immunity." Pinochet might now face extradition to Spain, where judge Baltasar Garazón hopes to lead a trial that would force him to be accountable for his crimes against Chileans and other nationals. As the articles written for this issue of ISLA's web site show, the "Pinochet affair" has opened a Pandora's box for the history of Chile and Latin America. For the first time anywhere, a former head of state might face an international court to be tried for his crimes. The unheard-of scenario raises complicated questions regarding sovereignty and law. While few dispute the urgency for tyrants like Pinochet to face justice, it's still a matter of heated debate who should bring them to court. Latin American governments have been very cautiuous in issuing statements regarding the Lords' decision, since they adhere to territorial justice. Ricardo Lagos, Chilean Social Democrat candidate for presidency in the upcoming 1999 elections, has argued that "it is the very people who suffered (Pinochet's) abuse who have the sole right to judge him." But given the Amnesty law passed in Chile in 1978, and other measures that have safeguarded those who perpetrated crimes during the dictatorship, most progressive Chileans have celebrated this extraterritorial measure to make Pinochet face justice. The articles written for this issue of the ISLA web site are by Chileans living in the United States. They are all to different degrees victims of Pinochet's regime, having suffered exile, and in some cases imprisonment and torture. Theirs are insightful accounts of Chilean politics today, helping us understand the painful processes faced by people who fight for democracy and justice in Latin America. ISLA thanks René Castro, Claudio E. Durán, Claudio Fuentes, Macarena Gómez-Barris, Roberto E. Leni and Ricardo Torres-Mateluna for their generous contributions to our feature coverage. We also proudly introduce the new Conexiones: Voices of Cuba section of the ISLA web site, which will regularly feature articles by our Cuban collaborators on Cuban politics, economy and culture. Antonio Prieto, web site editor Home | Current Events | Project Info | Links | Contact Us Copyright 1998 -- ISLA |
