Pinochet Judge Asks to Question Kissinger

The Spanish judge who attempted to prosecute General Pinochet for crimes against humanity has requested permission to question Henry Kissinger, it emerged today.

The former US secretary of state is wanted for questioning by Baltasar Garzon over his alleged involvement in a plot by former South American military dictatorships to persecute and eliminate their opponents in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mr Kissinger is expected to attend a convention at the Royal Albert Hall in London a week today.

Mr Garzon has filed a request via Interpol to question him under the European Convention on Terrorism, which requires signatories to cooperate with other states' judicial processes relating to terrorism.

Juan Garces, a lawyer involved in Mr Garzon's investigation into General Pinochet, said the Spanish judge had not yet received an answer.

Mr Kissinger served as Richard Nixon's assistant for national security from 1969-1973 and secretary of state between 1973-1977 for Nixon and his successor Gerald Ford.

Ever since General Pinochet's arrest in 1998 there have been attempts to show what part the US government played in the 1973 coup that brought him to power.

Mr Garzon attracted international attention when he ordered General Pinochet's arrest in 1998, but is also known for his unrelenting pursuit of drug traffickers and terrorists in Spain and abroad.

The proceedings against General Pinochet were ultimately unsuccessful but Mr Garzon is now investigating accusations against him of genocide and international terrorism.

He is also probing the disappearance of hundreds of Spanish citizens in Argentina during the military dictatorships between 1976-1983.

Mr Garces said Mr Garzon wanted to speak to Mr Kissinger about his alleged role in Operation Condor, a plot by the military governments of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay against their enemies.

Judges in Argentina and Chile also want to question Mr Kissinger over his links to their countries' dictatorships.