Letter: Tyrant on trial

Sir: General Pinochet's health (and thus his ability to stand trial) is not an issue which should be decided by the Home Secretary. That would be too early in the judicial process and, if extradition were to be denied on those grounds, would become what everyone remembered about this case. It is better that his ability to stand trial be decided by the Spanish court at the time of his arraignment.

Similarly, it is very important for the development of international law in this area that the UK delivers a "clean" decision based solely on the legal merits of the case and does not let the waters be muddied by political or trade considerations.

PETER J HOLDEN

Marlborough, Wiltshire