Brutal Pinochet era won't be forgotten

For most Chileans, Gen. Augusto Pinochet, 91, who died Sundayafter complications from a heart attack, was a rapacious dictator, aman who ordered the execution of thousands of his own people,tortured others and sent many into exile -- like the presentpresident of Chile, Michelle Bachelet. For others, he was thebrilliant architect of the modern Chilean economy, a man who broughtfree market reforms to an impoverished country.

Pinochet had a profound impact on U.S. foreign policy: Sodisturbed were Americans by Washington's support of the coup thatbrought Pinochet to power, there was agitation to make human rightsa condition for diplomatic and trade relations with other …