MONDAY NIGHT LIVE!

Pinochet

There are two things most folks know about Chile and that’s a) it’s the thinnest country in the world and b) it was ruled by the avuncular General Pinochet for many years. It’s this latter point we’re touching on right now and it’s fair to say not all people remember the General fondly . . . here’s a text just in:

Tyrants like Pinochet shouldn't have been allowed to die without getting their proper punishment -a death sentence by a court of law.
Tanimu, Nigeria.

Evelyn is in Santiago: “I’m mourning his death. He saved the country. All the things he did for the economy and health are down to him. There were death from both sides. It’s hard to say it was a price worth paying but it was the thing to do at that time. In 73 there was a lot of violence . . with or without Pinochet things were gonna be bad. He stopped the civil war. I’m sorry for the families and also for people from the right. They don’t go around with pictures mourning their loved ones. It will be difficult to get over all the things. For a long time I don’t think there will be a real union in the country.”

Richard is in Kuala Lumpur: “I’m concerned about his death. His death raises a lot of questions. I was in The Hague in ‘84 and was involved with many students who were sent away from Chile. The people who supported the Pinochet coup were owners of a mine backed by the CIA in the US. People like Pinochet now die without being tried in a court like the ailing president of Indonesia Suharto.”

Evelyn: “A lot of communist have killed a lot of people also and we’re not asking them to be punished.”

Cosmos: “When a person a committed so many human rights violations be accorded such a state funeral. I think it’s disgusting.”

Rob is reminding listeners that there will be no state funeral for Pinochet – just a military one: “He may be a sonofabitch but he’s our sonofabitch.”

Richard: “The military should not interfere in the people’s decision. He annihilated thousands of people. The international institutions could not try him.”

Zizou the statesman?

Aika is in the USA: ”I honestly don’t know if he’s making a political statement at this point. I think he should have more of a say in politics and racial issues. For me the way he describes himself is a cop out. I would like him to say he’s an African.”

Jeremy: “It’s difficult. He could consider himself Algerian but yet he was born in France but in France he’s neither. I grew up in a French suburb and a lot of my schoolmates were Algerian and Moroccan. Just being that famous means he already has a burden.”

Sulaiman in Nigeria has called us. We tried to get him on the show but the lines as usual to Africa are terrible: "Zidane is Africa's Pele. We are proud of him"

Ben is in Uganda: “This is a very important visit to Africa. I am a radio commentator for a local station and when you talk about Zidane you are inspiring the children. Zidane is going to his home country, this is a great opportunity.”

We’re back from the news . . .

Sulaiman in Nigeria has persevered: “The Italian defender offended him. Muhammad Ali used to tease his opponents. This is what the Italian did to Zidane.”

Sami is in Cairo: “Zidane is an inspiration. We need a lot of Zidanes in the world. The world is full of crisis. He is a model to be copied. He is gentle. He is the shy type but he is somebody you could rely on. You can see him directing his team mates. I would like him to work for charity organisations. People all over the world like him. I’ve put the headbutt behind me. Materazzi must have offended him.”

Aika: “I’m half Algerian half Tanzanian . . . I always identified myself as Africans and Africans are very compassionate. Everyone is forgetting the bitter history between Algeria and France. There’s a lot of anger I have towards individuals who say they’re French . . . it’s easier to go that way. He has not been discriminated against. The nice thing about football is there are no racial barriers.“

Lakhdar: “In 1998 when he won the World Cup there was a call for Zidane to be president but in the poor areas, les banlieus, a lot of young people were aware of the fact that he was a symbol and an outcast. Racism still exists.”

Packin’ up and leavin’ . . .

Lisa is in the USA but is originally from the UK: “I’m coming back for good next year. I’ve been living in the US for 6 years but I miss home. I missed friends and family. I came here on my own. It was small things such as going into a store and knowing what you were asking for. Where I live you have to drive. It’s the small things rather than the big things.”

Clint: “I found myself out of contract and decide it was time to re-evaluate. It was a good time to move. Better quality of life, better climate. It’s not a move that we’ve regretted at all. I’m happier now but poorer.”

Lisa: “If my family had come to the US with me then maybe it would have been different.”

Clint: “There’s no way I could be here to be honest if I was on my own. I don’t have the linguistic skills. There are problems here: France is over-bureaucratic. It’s not something I did to become financially better off but never say never; I’d like to think I’ll be here for the rest of my days. I hope my daughter will adopt France as her home.”

Laura is in Zagreb: “I from Britain and leaving Hull was the worst thing I ever did. I thought it would be wonderful ‘cos I speak Croatian and I wanted to translate books. I’ve got no health insurance because it costs a fortune to hear a doctor. Racism is really bad here. I don’t like the political correctness about not being able to sing baa-baa black sheep.”

Alexey is from Russia but is in Saudi Arabia: “I’m sorry about Laura but myself. Before coming here my image of Saudi was Mecca, Medina and Bin Laden. I think this country is safer than Britain or Russia. On the negative side: the drivers are really bad and there is a lack of things to do after work. But neighbouring countries are close.”

Pat is in Cyprus: “I would not go back if you paid me. There is racism in Cyprus here too but England is horrendous.”

Gabi has come to London from South Africa: “There’s more opportunity for young people here.”