Thatcher Hands Congratulations to Pinochet on a Silver Platter

LONDON —  Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has given Gen. Augusto Pinochet a silver plate originally cast to celebrate Sir Francis Drake’s victory over the Spanish fleet--a clear reference to Spain’s failed attempt to extradite the former Chilean dictator, the Sunday Times reported.

The newspaper said Thatcher had arranged for the plate--a replica of one first cast in 1588--to be delivered to Pinochet’s plane as it prepared to take off from a British air force base Thursday for Chile. The plate was inscribed with Thatcher’s signature.

Accompanying the plate was a note from Thatcher that read, “Your return to Chile has ensured that Spain’s attempts to impose judicial colonialism have been firmly rebuffed,” the newspaper said.