James H. Whelan

     WAISer James Whelan is a leading authority on Chile, and especially on Pinochet, whose case has created a constitutional crisis which will affect international law. He withdrew into a hermit's cave in Mexico to complete his book on it. I was about to ask him how it was going or coming when I received this message from him, which does not report on his planned magnum opus. In England as in other countries, the Pinochet case has divided opinion more or less on party lines. The Conservative Party, lead by former prime minister Lady Thatcher, feels that Pinochet should not be extradited from England to Spain for trial. James Whelan writes:
     I thought you might like to know that I have been lured -- briefly -- out of my hermit's lair by an invitation to address the annual Conservative Party Conference on the subject of the historic dimension of the Pinochet government. The event takes place Oct. 6, at Blackpool, and brings together the top 650 leaders of the party in the UK.
     I will share the platform with but two others: Lord Lamont of Lerwick (who invited me), Chancellor of the Exchequer in both the Thatcher and Major governments, and the Iron Lady herself. For an invitation like that, I am willing to wash my face, put on suit and tie and orate.


     My footnote: I hope James Whelan will send us a report on the conference and soon emerge definitely from his hermit's cave.

Ronald Hilton - 09/24/99