General Pinochet told to stay out of Chilean politics

The Chilean government has instructed the former military president, General Augusto Pinochet, to refrain from making political remarks -- until he retires as commander of the army.

General Pinochet was summoned to see the Defence Minister, Edmundo Perez, after saying at the weekend that he had information which could prove damaging to two pro-government members of the senate.

The general indicated that he'd use the information if the senators continued to criticise him.

General Pinochet, who is eighty-two, is preparing to retire from the army and become an appointed senator-for-life.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service