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Chilean President to Convene Security Council on Pinochet Case
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos agreed Wednesday, December 6, to summon the National Security Council as a response to military leaders' demands to discuss the Pinochet case.
Commanders of the Chilean military have urged Lagos to summon the National Security Council since Friday, when Judge Juan Guzman issued a house arrest order for Augusto Pinochet. Pinochet, former Chilean president, was indicted on charges of kidnapping and homicide -- in the deaths of 75 people -- during his rule from 1972 to 1990.
Yet, the house arrest and indictment against Pinochet were suspended on Tuesday by the Santiago Appeals Court, which accepted appeals from Pinochet's lawyer.
According to Chile's Constitution, Lagos can convene the National Security Council when circumstances "seriously threaten national security or the foundations of government institutions."
"I decided to convene the National Security Council as it is the institutional forum in which the armed forces can express their concerns to the state," Lagos said.
"Chileans know that the country is in complete calm, and that all state institutions are functioning normally," Lagos stressed. "Chileans also know there is some disquiet in the armed forces about the situation affecting General Augusto Pinochet in the courts," the president added.
The president stressed that the security council will be held only when the court makes its ruling on Pinochet's appeal, saying the council can "only wait and respect" the verdict.
Chile's Secretary General of the Presidency Alvaro Garcia said Wednesday that the Pinochet case is legal and the government will respect the court's decision.
The Santiago Appeals Court was expected to make its ruling on Thursday.
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