The Pinochet File: How U.S. Politicians, Banks and Corporations Aided Chilean Coup, Dictatorship

The first paragraph discusses the aftermath of the Chilean coup in 1973, focusing on the efforts of Dr. Garrido, a Spanish lawyer, to hold Augusto Pinochet accountable for his actions. Garrido worked to extradite Pinochet to Spain for trial, following the tragic suicide of Chilean President Salvador Allende. The paragraph also introduces Peter Korn, author of 'The Pino File', who discusses the significance of journalist Charles Horman's investigation into the murder of Chilean Commander-in-Chief General René Schneider, which was linked to a CIA-backed coup attempt. Horman's research was considered dangerous as it exposed the U.S.'s involvement in Chile's destabilization.

The second paragraph delves into the role of International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) in influencing U.S. foreign policy towards Chile during Allende's presidency. ITT, under the influence of former CIA director John McCone, sought to destabilize Chile's government due to its interests in the country, including ownership of the telephone companies and the Sheraton Hotel. The paragraph highlights ITT's attempts to fund Pinochet's political opponents and the subsequent exposure of its collaboration with the CIA, which led to Chile's decision to expropriate ITT's holdings.

The third paragraph narrates the pursuit of the millions stolen by Augusto Pinochet, which were hidden in secret bank accounts. The CIA documents revealed Pinochet's corruption, and the efforts to recover the stolen funds involved a U.S. Senate investigation into Riggs Bank, which was found to be complicit in hiding Pinochet's assets. The recovery of these funds and their subsequent distribution to the victims of Pinochet's regime is attributed to the work of Joan Garcés and others, emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and compensating the victims.

This paragraph outlines the process of identifying victims eligible for compensation from the recovered funds. It details the establishment of official commissions in Chile and Spain that identified thousands of individuals who suffered under Pinochet's regime. The paragraph highlights the efforts to ensure that these victims, recognized for their suffering, received a part of the indemnities from the funds that were once hidden away by Pinochet.

The fifth paragraph discusses the arrest of Augusto Pinochet in London and its profound impact on the international stage. It describes the legal strategies employed to hold Pinochet accountable, including the use of international treaties and the principle of universal jurisdiction. The arrest is credited with inspiring the human rights movement and setting a precedent for the prosecution of other dictators, such as Alberto Fujimori and Rios Montt. The paragraph also touches on the U.S. government's response to the concept of universal jurisdiction and its implications for former U.S. officials.

In the sixth paragraph, the conversation turns to the challenges faced by Henry Kissinger and other high-ranking U.S. officials in the context of international law. It discusses the legal immunity often granted to leaders who commit crimes against humanity and the difficulty of prosecuting them. The paragraph also addresses the U.S. courts' reluctance to review decisions made by high officers of the state department, even when related to atrocities, and the potential consequences of this impunity for international relations and justice.

The final paragraph reflects on the enduring impact of the Chilean coup and the current political climate, particularly focusing on the upcoming election featuring two women with significant historical ties to the events of 1973. It discusses the changing attitudes towards the coup and the political expediency of apologies from those who once supported Pinochet. The paragraph concludes by acknowledging the efforts of Jan Garcés and the international community in commemorating the 40th anniversary of the coup and ensuring that its atrocities are not forgotten.