Chile sees US denying asylum to Pinochet daughter

SANTIAGO, Chile - Chile said today it was confident the United States would reject a political asylum request from the eldest daughter of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet after she fled her country on tax charges.

"I am completely convinced that this request for political asylum will be rejected, because there is no legal basis for it," Chile Foreign Relations Minister Ignacio Walker told local radio.

Lucia Pinochet Hiriart was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody yesterday following nearly a day of questioning after she arrived at Dulles International Airport near Washington.

Her family was distressed by news of her arrest, particularly her ailing father Augusto Pinochet, who ruled Chile for 17 years until 1990.

Lucia Pinochet Hiriart is considered a fugitive from justice in Chile, where she has been charged with tax fraud related to some US$1 million ($1.47 million) in undeclared taxes and falsification of documents in a widening tax evasion and fraud investigation involving the Pinochet family.

Augusto Pinochet, 90, ruled Chile for 17 years after taking power in a 1973 military coup that toppled elected socialist President Salvador Allende. He has been accused of responsibility in the deaths of as many as 3000 Chileans during his rule, and in tens of thousands of torture cases.

He was charged last year with evading taxes on an estimated US$27 million hidden in foreign accounts and prosecutors say Pinochet and his family stashed millions of dollars in more than 100 bank accounts outside of Chile.

A US Justice Department official said yesterday that the United States had a limited extradition treaty with Chile, but it did not cover all crimes and may not cover the criminal charges against Pinochet Hiriart.

The family says it is the victim of persecution and Augusto Pinochet Jr, the ex-dictator's eldest son, said his mother and father were not taking the news well of Lucia's flight to the United States.

"My father is feeling pretty unwell because of this, with his (blood) sugar high, and my mother is very sad," he told reporters. The former dictator is diabetic.

Observers say retired general Pinochet may end up facing prosecution for tax crimes before any of the human rights charges against him.

Chilean authorities said they hoped for a resolution on the request for asylum within 48 hours. "Not even the most bitter critic could say there is political persecution in Chile," said Chile Interior Minister Francisco Vidal.

- REUTERS