Juan G. Valdés
data@embajadadechile.com.ar
[Before 15/SEP/03]
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
I understand that the "Esmeralda", now a roving goodwill ship for Chile, was
one of the vessels used as a detention and torture centre by the Chilean Navy
in 1973 during a period of systematic and widespread torture following the
military coup led by Augusto Pinochet.
I also understand that no one has yet been prosecuted in connection to the
administration of torture on the "Esmeralda".
In spite of the judicial initiatives undertaken in Chile to investigate cases
of past human rights violations, I am concerned that the "Esmeralda" continues
to be considered by the Chilean authorities as an appropriate representation
of Chile. The ship certainly does not represent the victims and their
families, who deserve full respect, as I am sure you will agree.
Therefore, I hereby respectfully request that you take all the necessary
measures to ensure that the "Esmeralda" returns immediately to the Chilean
Navy's dock in Valparaiso. If you are not able to
achieve this, please adopt a position of absolute dispensability with regard
to the forthcoming visit of the ship to the country of your Embassy, and that
you and your diplomatic staff abstain from participating in the corresponding
celebrations.
As you perfectly know, the Chilean Navy has systematically denied that any
crimes were ever committed on the ship, in direct contradiction to the Truth
and Reconciliation Report endorsed by the Government you represent. Under
these circumstances, your participation in any celebration on board would be
in fact an endorsement of those denials and an insult to the memory and
sufferings of the victims tortured on the "Esmeralda". I strongly appeal to
your sense of ethics not to become a part to such "celebrations", as an
expression of minimal respect towards the victims tortured on the ship 30
years ago.
Sincerely yours,
Full Name
City, Country
Date
