To: Electronic Telegraph <et.letters@telegraph.co.uk>
Re: A necessary act of war, or political murder?
Date: Sat, 01 Jul 2000

Dear Sir,

Reading the article relating to the sinking of the Belgrano in Friday's Telegraph places Margaret Thatcher's passionate support for General Pinochet in his recent struggle against extradition in an interesting and suspicious light (Belgrano families to sue Britain, 30 June 2000).

I recall her justifying her support for Pinochet by saying words to the effect that if he should be held accountable for the crimes committed while he was in office, no head of state would be safe against belated prosecution. One wonders if she did not perhaps have good reason to be fearful for herself.

It is very important to remember that the accused is assumed innocent until proven guilty.

However, if Mrs Thatcher should be guilty of having committed a criminal offence while in office - especially one as serious as allegedly having ordered the sinking of the Belgrano for political rather than for military reasons - it is vital for the credibility of our democracy that she be held accountable.

If the sinking of the Belgrano was a necessary act of war, fair enough (terrible though it was). But if it was an act of political murder, as alleged, as an Englishman I must not only feel deeply ashamed, but must also demand that the victims be generously compensated, and that those responsible be brought to justice.