MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Sex market” controversy involves USS Reagan.

Valparaiso is not “Sodom and Gomorra” said Chilean governor Ivan de la Maza flatly rejecting that the country's main port is about to become the biggest “sex market” when the large USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier arrives this week end.

The Santiago press reported that thousands of prostitutes from all over Chile and even neighbouring countries were converging on Valparaiso looking forward to an "exceptional season" when the thousands of US seamen arrive for a rest and recovery few days.

Mr. de la Maza insisted that the whole "sex market" idea regarding the 5,500 crewmembers of the US Navy carrier which will remain in Valparaiso from next Sunday until June 29, "has been blown out of all proportion".

"Sometimes wrong ideas are made up of the people who are coming to visit us, Valparaiso is no Sodom and Gomorra", stressed the Chilean official.

"We've taken all the necessary security measures and we're not going to allow any outbreaks of "sex markets" in the port-city", said Mr. de la Maza adding that special "tourist attractions" and sightseeing tours have been organized for the US sailors.

However health officials from the port city anticipated that special measures had been taken to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Health official Anibal Vivaceta said that several places in Valparaiso "where US seamen were most likely to seek sexual services have been inspected", adding that prevention measures would be reinforced, particularly among risk groups.

According to Chilean Police information and internet sites offering sexual services a growing number of prostitutes from neighbouring countries have begun offering their services in Santiago and other cities in recent years.

Apparently they come mainly from Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia and Venezuela with each group operating in different areas. Valparaiso is believed to be the haven of Argentine prostitutes.

The 4,5 billion US dollars USS Reagan is contouring the South American continent on its way from Norfolk, Virginia to her operational base in San Diego, California.

One of the latest carriers to be built, (approx. 90,000 tons displacement) USS Reagan is one of the largest and most modern units of the US Navy with over 80 aircrafts and a crew of 5,500.