MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile ready to send troops

Chile ready to send troops

Chilean Defense Minister Mario Fernández said Chile is ready to send troops to Afghanistan if the United States makes a formal request and their deployment falls in with international agreements.

"Chilean Armed Forces are ready for the moment when multilateral mechanisms, of which Chile is a member, are triggered into action, and Chile agrees with them", said Mr. Fernández in Valparaíso.

A situation of this nature "would obviously require the necessary assessments, before the decision is formally taken".

When asked about the deployment of Chilean forces to other areas of the Latinamerican continent to prevent possible terrorist attacks Mr. Fernández said that the idea of "hemispheric protection means it's extensive to all its territory", taking into account the fact that the Magellan Strait and the Panama Canal are very sensitive areas where "actions of this nature could occur".

Chile actively participates in United Nations peace missions, and whenever UN requests, "Chilean Armed Forces must be ready", however these missions "must not be confused with the current hostilities", indicated Mr. Fernández.