Chile Lawmakers Try To Stop General From Joining Ranks

In a bid to prevent Gen. Augusto Pinochet from becoming a senator for life this month, pro-government lawmakers accused the former dictator Sunday of violating Chile’s constitution.

The 82-year-old general - who is the army’s commander in chief but does not hold political office - caused an uproar last week by threatening to publish secret documents he said would prove damaging to two senators who criticized him.

The constitution bars active military officers from making political statements.

“Gen. Pinochet is breaking the constitutional obligation to not meddle in politics, and does so in an obstinate manner,” a group of legislators said in a statement.

Pinochet has announced he will step down as commander in chief this month to become a senator, as called for in the constitution written by his 1973-90 military regime. He has not set a date for the switch.

His critics argue that a man who shut down Congress when he seized power in a coup has no right to serve in the legislature.

The lawmakers plan to propose a measure this week preventing Pinochet from taking the senate seat. The lower house of Congress, where the pro-government coalition holds a majority, is likely to approve it. But pro-Pinochet legislators who control the Senate are expected to block its passage.