More surgery for ailing Pinochet

Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet needs further surgery after his heart attack, doctors at his Santiago hospital have said.

They say Gen Pinochet remains in a critical condition after an initial intervention to widen a blood vessel.

He suffered an acute heart attack on Sunday morning and at one point received the last rites from a priest.

Gen Pinochet was in power from 1973-90, during which time more than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared".

A few days ago he was indicted over two 1973 deaths and put under house arrest.

As well as charges relating to the execution of two bodyguards of former President Salvador Allende's, whom Gen Pinochet overthrew in 1973, he is also accused of dozens of human rights violations, but has never faced trial because of poor health.

Angioplasty procedure

One of the medical staff at the Santiago Military Hospital, Dr Juan Ignacio Vergara, said Gen Pinochet was in a stable condition but his life was not out of danger.

He was taken to the hospital early on Sunday morning after suffering "an acute" heart attack and a build-up of fluid on his lungs, a statement from the hospital said.

Doctors had carried out "procedures that rescued him virtually from death," Gen Pinochet's son, Marco Antonio Pinochet told reporters gathered outside the hospital.

"He's in a pretty serious state...We're in the hands of God and the doctors."

The former leader received the last rites from a Catholic priest, a family spokesman said.

Gen Pinochet underwent angioplasty, a procedure designed to widen a narrowed or totally obstructed blood vessel, to stabilise his condition, he said.

Now, according to reports on Chilean state television, he needs a second operation.

The BBC's Jane Chambers in Santiago says the general's family has authorised a second operation.

'Political responsibility'

General Pinochet overthrew the elected government of the left-wing President Allende in 1973 in a bloody coup.

Today, close to the end of my days, I want to make clear that I hold no rancour toward anybody, that I love my country above all else
Pinochet's birthday statement
He was placed under house arrest earlier this week over the abduction of two people in 1973.

The charges relate to the Caravan of Death - a military operation to remove opponents to Gen Pinochet's rule.

He currently faces two other indictments - one for human rights abuses and another for tax evasion.

As a former president he enjoys legal immunity, but the courts can strip him of this privilege on a case-by-case basis.

On 25 November, his 91st birthday, Gen Pinochet issued a statement in which he took "political responsibility" for acts that took place under his rule, saying that he had believed they were in Chile's best interests.

He also alluded to his failing health.

"Today, close to the end of my days, I want to make clear that I hold no rancour toward anybody, that I love my country above all else," he said.

Gen Pinochet has been in ill health in recent years. He suffers from diabetes and arthritis, and has also had a number of suspected strokes.


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