MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile: Breaking News.

Headlines:
Inflation remains below one digit in Chile; Neo-Nazi march in Santiago banned; More Chilean troops to Haiti.

Inflation remains below one digit in Chile

Consumer prices in Chile increased 0,4% in April, accumulating 0,6% in the first four months of 2004. However, compared with April 2003, the index shows negative growth, -0,3%, the lowest since 1931. The Chilean Statistics Office report indicates that the items that experienced the greatest expansion are fuel, 5,5%; cigarettes 2,1%, and in the last twelve months drinking water 12% and cigarettes 8,5%. With fuel prices higher Transport suffered an increase of 2%, followed by Others 0,8%; Health Services 0,5%; Education and Leisure 0,2%; Housing 0,1% and Home equipment 0,2%. Overall Food prices dropped 0,3% and Clothing remained unchanged. But Wholesale prices in Chile jumped 2,2% during April, totalling 4,2% in the four first months of 2004 and -0,8% in the last twelve months. According to the Statistics Office discrimination, Domestic products wholesale prices expanded 2,3% while imported products 1,6%.

Neo-Nazi march in Santiago banned

The Chilean government banned a march scheduled for next May 15 organized by Neo-Nazi groups to protest against Jews and homosexuals. "Everybody has the right to march in the framework of the law and requesting authorization, but this legitimate right in a democracy can not be used to threaten. This under no circumstances will be allowed by the Chilean government", said Francisco Vidal, spokesperson for the Chilean Executive. The municipality of Santiago in an official release stated that "it's only normal to ban a march against human dignity". Last Sunday representatives from homosexual and Jewish organizations, and members of Congress requested the government to ban a march convened by the Neo-Nazi grouping "Our Motherland", under the slogan "Save our Motherland and our race from garbage". The march was programmed to pass in front of the "OpusGay" newspaper building and the home of the Homosexual Integration and Liberation Movement president, Rolando Jiménez. Mr. Jiménez praised the government for the decision but added he would file a threats complaint in Court "against people who promote acts of violence and discrimination". "I fear that the failure of the Nazi march could end in a bashing contest against me or my people", warned Mr. Jimenez. In recent years, groups of youngsters who identify themselves as national-socialists have participated in violent aggressions against travesties, homosexuals and stoned Jewish organizations offices in Santiago de Chile.

More Chilean troops to Haiti

Chilean president Ricardo Lagos will hold talks with Brazilian president Lula da Silva before deciding to send more peace keeping troops to Haiti said Government House spokesperson Francisco Vidal. President Lula da Silva has asked authorization from the Brazilian Congress to send 1,470 servicemen to the chaotic Caribbean nation. United Nations recently approved the dispatch to Haiti of a peace keeping contingent of 8,000 military and police for six months beginning next June. Mr. Vidal said the Chilean government this time will request Congressional authorization with the purpose of avoiding controversy, --and fierce criticism--, as happened when Chile sent a first group of military, 48 hours after the former Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide was ousted from office. However Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister Soledad Alvear last Sunday anticipated Chile would be sending more peace keeping troops since the "Chilean people are now fully aware of the many needs of the Haitians", the poorest nation of the continent. The ousting of Aristide still remains a controversial issue because apparently United States Marines forced him to leave the Presidential Palace and had him flown to Africa. A majority of Caribbean nations and some black African countries condemned what they described as US and French intervention in Haiti's internal affairs. US and French intervention ended armed strife and helped to return some normality to the country.