FORMER DICTATOR PINOCHET SUFFERS STROKE, REGAINS

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