(14 Jan 2000) Eng/Spanish/Nat
Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is fearful there could be a last-minute move to block his return home, a close friend said Friday.
Peter Schaad, who was with Pinochet on Tuesday night when Britain announced plans to free him, said the general wouldn't relax until he was back home in Santiago.
Schaad's first-hand account from inside the Pinochet household came as a Spanish judge launched a new bid to try to have him put on trial.
General Pinochet remained under house arrest outside London on Friday amid speculation he could be freed within a week.
Close friend Peter Schaad spent Tuesday evening with the General as news came through that Britain was ready to release him.
Schaad said Pinochet was pleased, but faced a worrying week ahead, fearing there may be fresh legal efforts to have him extradited to Spain.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"He's obviously happy that it looks as if this is going to be the end. He's not in Chile yet, so it will be a tense few days for him, to get through these days without making any mistakes."
SUPERCAPTION: Peter Schaad, close friend of Pinochet
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"He's very happy, but he's being cautious, because he's not back in Chile yet. We have been fighting for the past 15 months to bring the General home, and our dearest wish is to see him arrive in Chile."
SUPERCAPTION: Peter Schaad, close friend of Pinochet
Schaad backed a team of independent doctors who examined Pinochet last week and concluded he wasn't fit to stand trial.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I don't think so. His mental faculties aren't in a good enough state to organise his defence properly."
SUPERCAPTION: Peter Schaad, close friend of Pinochet
Anti-Pinochet protestors are furious that the General looks set to go free.
But Schaad says claims Pinochet has done nothing wrong.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"As a personal friend, I would see I'm convinced he's not a mass murderer. I am convinced he's innocent. But I would say if there's any doubt about that, let the Chileans look after it. Let the Chileans decide what they want to do with him."
SUPERCAPTION: Peter Schaad, close friend of Pinochet
Pinochet now faces a nervous weekend as he awaits the end of the consultation period set by the British government.
By then - Tuesday evening - his fate is likely to be clearer.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
