``Both myself and Mr Aznar agree that this is not a matter for us to discuss,'' British Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday, referring to Spanish leader Jose Maria Aznar. ``I've avoided commenting on that judicial process and I don't intend to do so.''

Aznar made similar comments when he met journalists on the margin of a European Union (EU) summit in this alpine lakeside resort.

Pinochet is under arrest in a London hospital where he had gone for back surgery. He was detained on a warrant from a Spanish magistrate seeking to extradite him on charges of genocide, terrorism and torture during his 1973-90 rule.

The Chilean government has urged Britain to release Pinochet on humanitarian grounds, and argued that as a senator, he is entitled to diplomatic immunity.

Aznardismissed reports that the bid to try Pinochet will damage Spain's relations with Latin America. ``It's important we don't talk nonsense about this issue. This is stupid,'' he said.