Thursday, October 22, 1998 Published at 06:51 GMT 07:51 UK
Pinochet - Thatcher's ally
Baroness Thatcher's letter: Demand for General Pinochet's release
Baroness Thatcher's controversial call for the release of General Augusto Pinochet underlines a long-term relationship that has always been more than just flowers and chocolates.
General Pinochet was detained in London on 17 October following a request for his arrest and extradition by two Spanish judges investigating some of the 4,000-plus political murders believed to have been committed during his 1973-1990 rule.
In her letter, Baroness Thatcher wrote: "By his actions the [Falklands] war was shortened and many British lives were saved."
It is understood that while Chile did not express open support for the UK during the conflict, it did provide material assistance, most notably in allowing the SAS to set up a base on Chilean soil.
The general seized power in 1973 from the Marxist government of Salvador Allende and immediately overturned its state controls in favour of a programme of sweeping privatisations in accordance with Friedman's free market thinking.
It won Baroness Thatcher's admiration and, to some extent emulation in the reforms she brought in as prime minister.
Despite this, she has always been acutely aware of General Pinochet's extremely poor human rights record - alluding in her letter to abuses "on both sides of the political divide" - and kept her distance while in office.
General Pinochet, a confirmed anglophile who once described the UK as "the ideal place to live", reciprocated with equal admiration for Baroness Thatcher.
He reportedly made a habit of sending chocolates and flowers to her during his twice-yearly visits to London and took tea with her whenever possible.
Just two weeks before his arrest, General Pinochet was entertained by the Thatchers at their Chester Square address in London.
"It would be disgraceful to preach reconciliation with one, while maintaining under arrest someone who, during that same conflict, did so much to save British lives," she wrote.
Her expression of loyalty is unlikely to have any impact on the situation, which the government insists will be judged on its legal merits.