US embassy cable - 05SANTIAGO1107

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 001107 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PINR, CI, PINOCHET 
SUBJECT: FORMER DICTATOR PINOCHET SUFFERS STROKE, REGAINS 
CONCIOUSNESS; CONDITION GUARDED 
 
REF: A. SANTIAGO 0023 
 
     B. 04 SANTIAGO 2899 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Craig A. Kelly for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) The Chilean press reported that former dictator 
Augusto Pinochet suffered a stroke and was transported by 
helicoptor to the intensive care unit at Santiago Military 
Hospital shortly before 1:00 a.m. EST on May 19.  News 
outlets report that Pinochet was transported unconcious from 
his home, "Los Boldos," in the nearby Maipo Valley, to the 
hospital, where he subsequently regained conciousness and is 
undergoing tests.  Suggesting that a crisis was not imminent, 
a Defense Attache Office contact reported that Pinochet's 
wife, Lucia Hiriart, had left the hospital by 3:00 p.m. 
 
2.  (SBU) This incident recalls the December 2004 
hospitalization of Pinochet (ref B) from what was apparently 
a mild stroke.  The former dictator is facing charges for 
kidnapping and murder in the Operation Condor case, and is 
awaiting word from Chilean courts whether he will be stripped 
of immunity for tax evasion and possible diversion of public 
funds in connection with the Riggs Bank case (ref A). 
KELLY