MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Military honors for Pinochet would anger Chileans

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said Friday that her compatriots would be angered if former dictator Augusto Pinochet is buried with full military honors when he dies

"During the campaign I said that the conscience of the Chilean people would be outraged (by a state funeral for Pinochet), not mine... But I'm Chilean," Bachelet told Canal Trece television.

The president made her remarks when asked about statements made Thursday by army commander Gen. Oscar Izurieta, who said that Pinochet will be buried with full military honors upon his death. Bachelet - whose father, an air force general, was tortured to death during the dictatorship - added that the status Pinochet had as head of state was recognized in the 1980 constitution (imposed by the dictator himself) and, therefore, an "official ceremony" would be appropriate when he passes away.

She added that in the case of the army, according to the rules of that institution, "honors are accorded to all its former commanders in chief when they die and therefore, obviously, I don't think they'll break with that tradition unless there's some other element."

In an interview Wednesday night on the Chilevision network, Izurieta said that when the time comes, Pinochet will receive from the army all the honors "that correspond to an ex-commander in chief," notwithstanding Paraguay's treatment of Alfredo Stroessner.

The latter died this week of complications from pneumonia in Brasilia at the age of 93 and was buried Thursday in his Brazilian exile without state or military honors. Izurieta's comments were not well received by Bachelet's administration, and Defense Minister Vivianne Blanlot told the army commander that it was inappropriate to discuss possible honors for the former dictator.

In a related matter, the Supreme Court on Friday confirmed the lifting of Pinochet's immunity from prosecution in a case involving alleged misappropriation of public funds. The ruling was issued in connection with a investigation into the millions of dollars discovered in the Pinochet family's secret bank accounts abroad.

The ex-strongman may also face trial in connection with some of the more than 3,000 deaths attributed to his 1973-1990 regime.

To date, the Chilean courts have established that Pinochet accumulated a fortune of some $27 million, a sum wildly inconsistent with the retired general's earnings as longtime head of state and army commander.

Izurieta said this week that until Pinochet is found guilty in a court of law, he retains the presumption of innocence and would be entitled, upon his death, to honors befitting a former army chief and president.

He added, however, that the army's position would change if Pinochet were to be convicted of a crime.