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Tributes paid at Pinochet funeral Tributes paid at Pinochet funeral
(about 3 hours later)
Family members and friends of Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet have paid tributes to his presidency at his funeral in the capital, Santiago.Family members and friends of Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet have paid tributes to his presidency at his funeral in the capital, Santiago.
President Michele Bachelet, herself a torture victim during the Pinochet rule, did not attend the ceremony.President Michele Bachelet, herself a torture victim during the Pinochet rule, did not attend the ceremony.
She sent her defence minister, who was booed by the general's supporters.She sent her defence minister, who was booed by the general's supporters.
Gen Pinochet died on Sunday, aged 91. Thousands died or disappeared during his 17-year-rule, and he was accused of human rights abuses.Gen Pinochet died on Sunday, aged 91. Thousands died or disappeared during his 17-year-rule, and he was accused of human rights abuses.
The Chilean government had denied the general a state funeral, so the ceremony was conducted with military honours at Santiago's Military Academy.The Chilean government had denied the general a state funeral, so the ceremony was conducted with military honours at Santiago's Military Academy.
The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes Hugo Gutierrez Human rights lawyer In pictures: Pinochet funeral Chilean readers' views 'Pinochet was evil'
Flags there were flown at half-mast as several thousand of the general's supporters gathered outside the building.Flags there were flown at half-mast as several thousand of the general's supporters gathered outside the building.
Gen Pinochet's daughter Lucia Pinochet Hiriart urged the crowd to keep alive what she called the flame of freedom of his rule.Gen Pinochet's daughter Lucia Pinochet Hiriart urged the crowd to keep alive what she called the flame of freedom of his rule.
Some of the supporters held photographs of the man they see as Chile's saviour, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Santiago says.Some of the supporters held photographs of the man they see as Chile's saviour, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Santiago says.
Gen Pinochet's body now will be taken by helicopter to a crematorium on the coast, and his ashes given to his family. The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes Hugo Gutierrez Human rights lawyer href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6173733.stm" class="">In pictures: Pinochet funeral href="/1/hi/talking_point/6170525.stm" class="">Chilean readers' views href="/1/hi/uk/6170021.stm" class="">'Pinochet was evil'
After the funeral, Gen Pinochet's body was flown by helicopter to a crematorium on the coast.
His ashes will be given to his family who did not want a grave or memorial to become a focal point for protest our correspondent says.
Earlier, Ms Bachelet said Chileans should not forget what happened under Gen Pinochet.Earlier, Ms Bachelet said Chileans should not forget what happened under Gen Pinochet.
"Only then will we have a constructive vision of our future, guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights of all Chileans," she said."Only then will we have a constructive vision of our future, guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights of all Chileans," she said.
The decision to refuse a state funeral was in the best interests of the people, she added.The decision to refuse a state funeral was in the best interests of the people, she added.
Mixed feelingsMixed feelings
Gen Pinochet's death has sparked conflicting emotions in the country. Opponents have celebrated, but others are mourning their former leader.Gen Pinochet's death has sparked conflicting emotions in the country. Opponents have celebrated, but others are mourning their former leader.
Gen Pinochet celebrated his 91st birthday last month onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6167289'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3681938.stm">Gen Pinochet's life href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4954&start=0&edition=1&ttl=20061210180704" class="">Send us your comments More than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared" during Gen Pinochet's rule.
There will be no public monument to Gen Pinochet because of fears it would be attacked by his opponents, our correspondent says.
Gen Pinochet took power in a coup in 1973. More than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared" during his rule.
The former leader was accused of fraud as well as human rights abuses, but poor health meant he never faced trial.The former leader was accused of fraud as well as human rights abuses, but poor health meant he never faced trial.
Despite his human rights record, many Chileans revered Gen Pinochet, believing he saved the country from Marxism and put Chile onto a path of strong economic growth.Despite his human rights record, many Chileans revered Gen Pinochet, believing he saved the country from Marxism and put Chile onto a path of strong economic growth.
On Monday, as many as 60,000 people are estimated to have filed past his open coffin as his body lay, dressed in an army uniform, at the military academy.On Monday, as many as 60,000 people are estimated to have filed past his open coffin as his body lay, dressed in an army uniform, at the military academy.
But others are angry he died without justice being done over the charges he faces. Gen Pinochet celebrated his 91st birthday last month onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6167289'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3681938.stm">Gen Pinochet's life href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4954&start=0&edition=1&ttl=20061210180704" class="">Send us your comments
A lawyer for some of the victims, Hugo Gutierrez, said: "The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes." But as some were weeping at his funeral, across town several thousand anti-Pinochet protesters gathered outside the Presidential Palace, where there is a monument to Salvador Allende, the elected president overthrown in Gen Pinochet's 1973 coup.
'Soul of Chile' Riot police fired water cannons to disperse protesters in central Santiago and 39 people were arrested, Reuters news agency said.
In September 1973, Gen Pinochet led the armed forces in a dramatic coup against the democratically-elected Marxist government of Salvador Allende.
The violence of the uprising and the oppression that followed shook the world.
In November this year, Gen Pinochet was placed under house arrest over the abduction of two people in 1973.In November this year, Gen Pinochet was placed under house arrest over the abduction of two people in 1973.
The charges - the latest in a series - related to the so-called Caravan of Death, a military operation to remove opponents of his rule.The charges - the latest in a series - related to the so-called Caravan of Death, a military operation to remove opponents of his rule.
Church leaders have said that his death is a chance for national reconciliation.Church leaders have said that his death is a chance for national reconciliation.
It was time "to pray for the soul of Gen Pinochet, but also for the soul of Chile," Santiago Archbishop Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz said.It was time "to pray for the soul of Gen Pinochet, but also for the soul of Chile," Santiago Archbishop Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz said.