Falklands: MT meeting with General Pinochet [MT visits him at Wentworth then speaks to the press outside her office]

Film of MT meeting with Pinochet, Friday 26 March 1999

[ MT, Pinochet and his wife enter the room together]

MT:

Where would you like us to sit? Or stand? [Pinochet indicates the sofa, holding her arm and taking her to it]

MT:

Thank you very much. [Dona Lucia Pinochet also indicates the sofa; MT sits]

MT:

Thank you very much.

[two others enter the room, a translator and MT’s adviser, Dr Robin Harris; cut to close-up, MT in profile listening] [0m17s]

[Pinochet speaks in Spanish to his translator; words indistinct]

Translator:

Lady Thatcher, it is an honour for me for you to be here in this, uh, very simple house. [cut to MT, who nods and makes indistinct acknowledgment] It is a small house, but it is full of love and gratitude to you.

[Pinochet speaks directly to MT in Spanish, words very quiet indistinct]

Translator:

… it is very difficult, it is only a small way [?], to thank you for all your kindness, for your love and all what you have brought Senator Pinochet and his heart. [sic] [0m57]

MT:

Thank you. I am glad that you are comfortable here. I know how much we owed to you for your help during the Falklands campaign …. [cut] for beginning a new era in Chile, one which is founded on democracy, true democracy.

Translator:

[translates her words into Spanish]

MT:

And how are you madam? [Dona Lucia speaks] … confined to a house

[film of MT after the meeting, speaking to the press outside her office at Chesham Place]

MT:

… the Law Lords’ decision [1m50s] given last week, which you’ve heard, the overwhelming majority of cases indeed all of the case save one are inadmissible in our courts. So if there is resultant jurisdiction, it should be by the people of Chile in the courts of Chile and not here. Now that is three very good points for you ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much.