(2 Nov 1998) English/Nat

VOICED BY: Inga Thordar

Isabel Allende, the daughter of former Chilean president Salvador Allende has arrived in London to back an appeal by British prosecutors to arrest and extradite General Augusto Pinochet.

Britain's House of Lords is expected to decide in the next few days on the validity of a Spanish extradition warrant against Pinochet.

British prosecutors - acting on behalf of a Spanish magistrate seeking Pinochet's extradition on allegations of murder, kidnapping and torture during his 17-year rule - have until the end of the business day Monday to formally appeal.

VOICE-OVER:

Isabel Allende is hoping to persuade the House of Lords that General Augusto Pinochet should be put on trial in Spain.

Allende, now a Socialist politician in Chile, arrived in London with a delegation of lawmakers and human rights activists, some of whom want to testify at the appeal.

She was accompanied by Juan Pablo Letelier - the son of Orlando Letelier who was killed in Washington in 1976

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We understand that England can not become, is not and does not want to be ever, a safe haven for dictators such as Pinochet, like Paul Pot, like Idi Amin or like Saddam Hussein. We understand that that is what is at stake at the committee of the Law Lords this week."
SUPERCAPTION: Juan Pablo Letelier, Son of Former Defence Minister Orlando Letelier

Allende and Letelier have joined campaigners from both the United States and Europe who flew into London over the weekend to add their support to the anti-Pinochet lobby.

At a news conference, Letelier said that if Pinochet was given bail, Britain could become a safe haven for dictators. A move Allende believes would set a dangerous precedent for the future.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"All of us who are here have a lot to say in terms of suffering and pain. We are united by a common fight and desire and this is the fight for truth and justice."
SUPERCAPTION: Isabel Allende, Daughter of Salvador Allende

Later Allende joined demonstrators who have held a constant vigil outside the House of Parliament.

It is here that Pinochet's fate will be decided after a closed hearing later this week.

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