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Chileans set for Pinochet funeral | Chileans set for Pinochet funeral |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Final preparations are under way for the funeral of Chile's former military leader, Augusto Pinochet, in the capital, Santiago. | |
Gen Pinochet, who ruled for 17 years, died on Sunday aged 91. He was accused of dozens of human rights abuses. | Gen Pinochet, who ruled for 17 years, died on Sunday aged 91. He was accused of dozens of human rights abuses. |
His death has sparked conflicting emotions in the South American nation. Opponents have celebrated, but others are mourning their former leader. | His death has sparked conflicting emotions in the South American nation. Opponents have celebrated, but others are mourning their former leader. |
Tens of thousands of people have filed past his coffin to pay their respects. | |
Gen Pinochet took power in a coup in 1973. More than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared" during his rule. | Gen Pinochet took power in a coup in 1973. More than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared" during his rule. |
The former leader was accused of fraud as well as human rights abuses, but poor health meant he never faced trial. | The former leader was accused of fraud as well as human rights abuses, but poor health meant he never faced trial. |
Despite his human rights record, many Chileans revered Gen Pinochet, believing he saved the country from Marxism and put Chile onto a path of strong economic growth. | |
'Horrible crimes' | 'Horrible crimes' |
Gen Pinochet is to be given a military funeral, due to start at 1100 local time (1400 GMT). He will then be cremated and his ashes given to his family. | |
He will not be honoured by the state, although some flags have been flown at half-mast. | |
The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes Hugo Gutierrez Human rights lawyer In pictures: Pinochet wake Chilean readers' views 'Pinochet was evil' President Michele Bachelet will not attend the ceremony, but is to send her defence minister. | |
She said Chileans should not forget what happened under Gen Pinochet. | She said Chileans should not forget what happened under Gen Pinochet. |
"Only then will we have a constructive vision of our future, guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights of all Chileans," she said. | "Only then will we have a constructive vision of our future, guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights of all Chileans," she said. |
The decision to refuse a state funeral was in the best interests of the people, she added. | |
There will be no public monument to Gen Pinochet because of fears it would be attacked by his opponents, says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Santiago. | |
Emotions are running high, he says, with Gen Pinochet provoking the same strong emotions in death as he did while alive. | |
Open coffin | |
News of Gen Pinochet's death on Sunday brought thousands of Chileans out onto the streets. | News of Gen Pinochet's death on Sunday brought thousands of Chileans out onto the streets. |
Gen Pinochet celebrated his 91st birthday last month onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6167289'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3681938.stm">Gen Pinochet's life | |
Opponents of the former leader celebrated in a carnival atmosphere in the centre of Santiago. Clashes later broke out, leaving a number of police injured, and further minor scuffles and arrests were reported on Monday. | |
Many people have expressed anger that Gen Pinochet died without justice being done regarding the charges against him. | Many people have expressed anger that Gen Pinochet died without justice being done regarding the charges against him. |
A lawyer for some of the victims, Hugo Gutierrez, said: "The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes." | A lawyer for some of the victims, Hugo Gutierrez, said: "The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes." |
But on Monday, as many as 60,000 people are estimated to have filed past his open coffin as he lay, dressed in an army uniform, at Santiago's Military Academy. | |
The military authorities kept the auditorium open overnight to ensure all who wanted to pay their respects could do so. | |
"This man rescued us from anarchy," one mourner, Alicia Mejia, told the Associated Press news agency. | "This man rescued us from anarchy," one mourner, Alicia Mejia, told the Associated Press news agency. |
'Soul of Chile' | 'Soul of Chile' |
In September 1973, Gen Pinochet led the armed forces in a dramatic coup against the democratically-elected Marxist government of Salvador Allende. | In September 1973, Gen Pinochet led the armed forces in a dramatic coup against the democratically-elected Marxist government of Salvador Allende. |
The violence of the uprising and the oppression that followed shook the world. | The violence of the uprising and the oppression that followed shook the world. |
In November this year, Gen Pinochet was placed under house arrest over the abduction of two people in 1973. | |
The charges - the latest in a series - related to the so-called Caravan of Death, a military operation to remove opponents of his rule. | The charges - the latest in a series - related to the so-called Caravan of Death, a military operation to remove opponents of his rule. |
Church leaders have said that his death is a chance for national reconciliation. | Church leaders have said that his death is a chance for national reconciliation. |
It was time "to pray for the soul of Gen Pinochet, but also for the soul of Chile," Santiago Archbishop Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz said. | It was time "to pray for the soul of Gen Pinochet, but also for the soul of Chile," Santiago Archbishop Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz said. |