September 17, 1999

By Deborah Charles

MADRID, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Communist Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said on Thursday that Chile's former dictator Augusto Pinochet, wanted in Spain to face human rights charges, should be tried at home in Chile.

But Perez refused to comment on the extradition process against the 83-year-old right-wing general, who was arrested in London last year on a Spanish warrant and is now awaiting extradition hearings due to begin on September 27.

``Our position is that Augusto Pinochet, in our opinion, should be tried and strongly punished in Chile,'' he said in answer to a reporter's question during a visit to Madrid.

Pinochet is accused of responsibility for crimes against humanity committed during his iron-fisted 1973-1990 rule.

After Pinochet was arrested, Cuban President Fidel Castro hailed the detention as a ``legal victory'' but noted it was a very difficult legal and political case.

Perez stressed Cuba did not want to get involved in problems between Chile and Spain, and said he hoped the issue would not interrupt an Ibero-American summit in Havana in November.

``Cuba obviously has avoided and avoids making any comments over troubles between Spain and Chile -- both countries with which Cuba has friendly relations.''

Chile and Argentina have said they will boycott the summit to protest against what they consider a violation of Chilean sovereignty.

Perez said Cuba hoped Madrid and Santiago -- at loggerheads after Spain rejected Chile's request for international arbitration in the Pinochet case -- could work out their differences before the summit.

Chile said on Wednesday it was rethinking its relations with Spain, one of its most important trading partners, in light of the latest decision.

``We hope, as we assume all of Latin America would, that the differences between Chile and Spain can be resolved in a manner that is satisfactory for both countries,'' Perez said.

``We want the Chilean president to attend the summit....But obviously I realise that it would be difficult for the Chilean president to come to Havana if the differences haven't been resolved.''

13:38 09-16-99

Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited

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