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15. 07. 08. - 12:00

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15. 07. 08. - 12:00

Arrival of controversial Chilean ship causes protests in Split

Croatian Times

By Marija Andric

A Chilean naval training vessel reportedly used as a torture ship years ago in Chile sailed on Monday to the navy port of Lora in Split. Because of a strong southern wind, the ship had problems while entering the port and wound up forced to stay at anchor in nearby Kastela bay for a few hours until the wind subsided.

Protestors greeted the "Esmeralda" with placards reading "Esmeralda go home" and "You are not welcome here." Centre for Democracy President Semina Loncar claimed that the ship should have docked at Split's ferry port but docked instead at the navy port owing to fear of protestors.

"Croatia should not allow this 'ship of death' to enter its ports since more than 100 people have died on it and no one has been punished for those crimes," Loncar said.

The ship could become a symbol of education in human rights, but the cadets had to be made  aware of the ship's past, Loncar added.

Majda Rojas, whose husband suffered under former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet's military regime from 1973 to 1980, pointed out that the problem was not the ship, which was a beautiful sailing vessel, but the fact that after so many years nobody has been made responsible for the horrible crimes committed on board it.

The Chilean naval-training vessel will remain in Split for a few days.

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