Letter: In Brief

Sir: Baroness Thatcher says prosecuting General Pinochet will set a precedent which will inhibit heads of government from taking the right action in a crisis ("Thatcher says Pinochet was victimised", 7 July). In fact, the Pinochet case is so important precisely because it could warn dictators that they can be held to account. In government Thatcher believed harsh punishments were a deterrent. Why does she not apply this to powerful criminals like Pinochet? Why not give the world's tyrants a "short, sharp shock"?

CARLOS REYES-MANZO

Chile Democratico

London E2