Tuesday, October 20, 1998 Published at 11:51 GMT 12:51 UK
Call for calm in Chile
Riot police intervened to break up pro-Pinochet demonstrations
The Chilean Government has appealed for calm following a violent demonstration by supporters of the former dictator, Augusto Pinochet.
On Monday night hundreds of protestors gathered around the British and Spanish embassies in Santiago, denouncing the general's arrest in London.
The police responded with tear gas to try to disperse the crowds.
Demonstrators also threw stones at the Spanish Ambassador's residence. The authorities said about 50 protesters were arrested and 12 injured in the clashes.
"These events, which are taking place outside of our borders, should not disrupt the peaceful coexistence between us, or even less revive old conflicts that we Chileans have been able to overcome."
Earlier, Mr Troncoso met with the cabinet and issued a statement saying General Pinochet was protected by diplomatic immunity.
The Chileans say he should therefore be accorded immunity. But Britain disagrees.
It says diplomatic immunity is reserved for accredited diplomats or foreign government officials on official visits, and the general never received accreditation as an ambassador, or registered his diplomatic status officially.
The Spanish authorities want to question the general over the alleged torture and killing of Spanish nationals in Chile when he was in charge.