LONDON -- Britain's "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher paid a morale-boosting visit to Augusto Pinochet Friday at the rented residence where he is under arrest to express her total admiration for the former Chilean dictator.
Baroness Thatcher lavished praise on Pinochet, who faces extradition to Spain where he is sought for trial on charges linked to human rights abuses during his rule from 1973 to 1990."I know how much we owe to you for your help in the Falklands campaign," the former British prime minister told Pinochet, 83, referring to the 1982 South Atlantic war between Britain and Argentina when she was in power.
"We're also very much aware that it's you who brought democracy to Chile," Thatcher, 73, added.
The visit, televised live, was Pinochet's first public appearance since he appeared in court three months ago.
The two old friends met in a lounge with a large ornamental fireplace and elegant furniture in the house at the exclusive Wentworth Estate, 20 miles southwest of London. Pinochet's wife was seated beside him.
His fight to leave Britain suffered a setback two days ago when the country's highest court ruled he was not immune from prosecution simply because he was a former head of state.
Pinochet, who was arrested Oct. 16, is under police guard in the house.
The former strongman used a walking stick but appeared in good health and took Thatcher's arm as she walked through the door.