TEXT OF A LETTER FROM LADY THATCHER TO SENATOR PINOCHET: 2 March 2000
I hope that by the time you receive this letter you will be safely on your way back to Chile. Your detention in Britain was a great injustice which should never have taken place.
With your return to Chile, Spain’s attempt at judicial colonialism has been decisively - and I trust permanently - rebuffed. In order to celebrate this, I enclose with this letter a silver Armada dish. These dishes were first produced in England in order to celebrate another victory over the Spanish – that of our own navy against the Spanish Armada in 1588. I am sure that you will appreciate and enjoy the symbolism!
May I extend to you and your family all good wishes for a peaceful and secure future.