Does anyone think Margaret Thatcher should be prosecuted?

Question

As Prime Minister of England, Thatcher supported the Pinochet regime and its mass murders, she also gave him asylum from prosecution, now he is finally to stand trial for his crimes, should Thatcher be beside him once again, in the dock.

Answer 1

But don't forget that Pinochet was her friend during the Falklands dispute, when she deliberately left British territory undefended, provoking an Argentinian invasion.

So can't we prosecute her for the negligent manslaughter of 1000 British and Argentinian servicemen as well. They died to save her political career and the British public were too jingoistic to see it.

Answer 2

This question presupposes that Pinochet is guilty, remember this has not yet been proved in a court. Assuming that he were found guilty, it would not neccesary follow that anyone that lent him support or shelter would be open to a charge. Putting aside the finer points of international law for a moment, the sheltering of foreign ex-leaders is a frequent occurrence. Often the countries that provide shelter do so in order to provide relief for the country that the ex-leader once dominated. By removing the contentious ex-statesman one allows the country to begin a healing process. In the case of Chile (I note no-one has yet mentioned the interests of the country in question), it may or may not be desirable to prosecute Pinochet, there are after all many in the country who supported his regime. Much as in South Africa, some nations emerging from a period of repression or internal strife may choose to wave the prosecution of those who worked for the regime for the sake of national unity.

This may seem at odds with the recent moves for international standards of jurisprudence, but one must consider the needs of the nation and it's people first and the international dimension second.

Prosecuting Margret Thatcher for supporting or sheltering Pinochet would open a new dimension in international accountability. Remember that Pinochet was not a wanted criminal, he had not been charged, and has yet to be found guilty of any crime. Thus at the time the Thatcher government allowed Pinochet into the UK it, and by extension Mrs Thatcher, had broken no international law or convention. Further more he was admitted into the UK on medical grounds, as has been verified by courts in Chile, therefore even had he been under indictment, he may still have been allowed to travel on humanitarian grounds.

Applying these high standards to an alleged despot may seem inappropriate, but it is precisely by applying these high standards that we (the international community) demonstrate the type of behaviour we expect all to observe.

Pinochet should be brought to trial if there is sufficient evidence of wrong doing and if it is the will of the Chilean people.

Margret Thatcher should not be brought to trial because she personally has committed no crime (with regard to Pinochet) nor has the government she led at the time in question.

Answer 3

One can only presume that most of the people writing on here only know a little of history and did not in fact live through the Thatcher Years.

Her government picked up a dead duck of a country, racked with trade union disputes that were strangling British industry, and gave us something to be proud of again. It rid us of old-fashioned socialism for ever.

Home ownership became the right of many of the subjects of this country who would never in their wildest dreams have thought they could be property owners.

Of course she had alliances with unsavoury people. That is an unfortunate reality of power. All too often politicians have to do things we don't like and speak to and deal with people whose morality and criminality is in doubt.

We now speak freely with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness, two of the most hideous terrorist leaders who have ever walked our streets; we trade and deal openly with two of the most ruthless countries of the 20th century, Germany and Japan. We "freed" Rhodesia by entering into an alliance with Mugabe, another enemy of freedom; as has been said above, we allied with Iraq against Iran, only to see the error of our ways.

Those who criticise Thatcher are merely pandering to the whims of the left and looking at history with the benefit of hindsight. Most of the wars would never have been fought if we could have seen in advance the consequences; most economic policy would be different if we had a crystal ball.

Thatcher saw what needed to be done and seized the moment. Britain was on a downward spiral when she came into power and was flying high when she left. History will most certainly judge her far more kindly than it judges Blair.

Answer 4

Western governments have a history of propping up corrupt and criminal dictatorships. If you think Thatcher should stand trial, then so should most American, French and British leaders of the last 50 years.

Answer 5

thatcher should be prosecuted for the betrayal of gt britain first, pinochet is just a side line.Because of her economic warfare against the british workers and small business, we have naver recovered.Tony blair should prosecute her for brainwashing him,
he is still got the thatcher mindset.

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

No let it be shes old and frail now. I never was a big fan of hers but in hind sight i see things differently

Answer 8

You ar worried about Mrs.Thatcher - what about Tony Bliar - mass producer of lies and starter of unjustified wars - get real.

Answer 9

Like many othe countries we also support President Saddam HUSSAIN and supplied him with WMD, what was your question again?

Answer 10

no.we also supported george Bush the elder, charge her with both offences that way you may get her on one but not on the other.
and if my history serves me didnt we deport him to face charges in his own country when in reality he wanted the softer english system of justice. LF