MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US “deception” with Chile

Democrat Congress members have requested President George Bush a quick timetable for the signing of the free trade agreement with Chile, in spite of the South American country's opposition to the war in Iraq.

"I believe we're facing two different issues", said Jim Davis Democrat representative for Florida who voted with the Republicans in favour of the bilateral free trade agreement that is supposed to become a model for a future hemispheric agreement.

However US Trade representative Robert Zoellick who was instrumental in reaching the agreement last December and underlined President Bush's commitment to the agreement, said that many people in the White House and in Congress feel "deception" towards Chile for having denied support to the US in the United Nations Security Council.

Mexico and Chile as non permanent seats of the 15 member Security Council represent Latinamerica and explicitly rejected the unilateral use of force to disarm Iraq.

Cal Dooley a California Democrat Representative anticipated that those who favour the agreement will be lobbying President Bush for a quick signature of the trade agreement.

However he admitted that unfortunately not all Congress members are assessing the consequences of the delay in the signing of the agreement.

Chilean Ambassador in Washington Andrés Bianchi said he was "comfortable" with Mr. Zoellick statement regarding the US commitment, in spite of the word "deception".

"The only non ideal situation is that we have an indefinite date for the signing", remarked Mr. Bianchi. Originally the agreement was expected to be signed May 6.

In Santiago President Ricardo Lagos when asked about the issue replied with a terse "no comment", adding "I have good reasons for my no comment".

Chilean Foreign Secretary Soledad Alvear admitted that "United States would have liked to have the full support of Chile, Mexico and all the other Security Council members", but when things are analyzed more coolly, "it will be evident that Mexico and Chile were only attempting a constructive attitude towards the issue".

Ms. Alvear pointed out that for the Bush administration's foreign policy which "wants to lead in the free trade endeavour the agreement with Chile is important and very valuable. For us it's extremely important".

Ms. Alvear also met with President Vicente Fox in Mexico City to analyze possible reforms in the United Nations functioning to help address future threats to world peace and security, as well as ensuring a greater role for Latinamerica. Mr. Fox's privileged bilateral relations with Washington have cooled since Mexico did not support the US in Iraq. According to the Mexican press, Mr. Bush who normally takes calls from President Fox, on the last occasion waited four days before responding.