MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fujimori: Chile and Japan iron out differences

Chilean Foreign Affairs minister Ignacio Walter standing next to Japanese Ambassador in Santiago Jaime Ogawa said that in spite of the Fujimori case, diplomatic relations are going through an “excellent moment” and announced significant advances in the bilateral free trade treaty negotiations.

Mr. Walker made it a point to underline that Japan has in no way has put pressure on the Chilean government and the two diplomatic dispatches, requesting information on Mr. Fujimori's condition and health, adjust to "normal practice".

"As Foreign Secretary of Chile I state that never in no way has our domestic legal system or foreign policy being under any pressure. The long standing friendship of over a century between Chile and Japan is cemented on mutual respect".

Mr. Walker also denied that Tokyo had suggested the repatriation of the former Peruvian president and added that a only a spokesperson from the Japanese Foreign Ministry had requested a "fair trial" for Mr. Fujimori, "which as a matter of principle Chile rule of the law system guarantees to any person facing charges".

Ambassador Ogawa underlined that the Japanese government had no knowledge of the former Peruvian president's trip, and if that had been the case, it would have reported it immediately.

On Wednesday President Ricardo Lagos inferred that Japanese authorities were aware of the trip.

When asked if Mr. Fujimori had gone through migration on leaving Japan, the Ambassador replied that he did check out but the staff was not at all surprised since the former president "is considered another Japanese citizen, who has committed no crime in Japan, besides the fact his is quite a common name".

"Mr. Fujimori faces no charges in Japan and therefore is entitled to leave when ever he wishes", said Ambassador Ogawa.

He apologized for all the troubles Mr. Fujimori's trip has caused to Chile and personally admitted he was surprised at the "storm" his presence has generated.

Finally the ambassador added that having fulfilled the request to visit Mr. Fujimori, Japan has no further intention in the matter.

As to a future bilateral free trade agreement both officials said the feasibility paper "has been successfully concluded" which opens the way for the signing of a "strategic economic agreement".

The one year study will be formally presented to Chilean president Ricardo Lagos and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi next week during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum scheduled to take place in South Korea.

In Lima the Peruvian press reported that the private aircraft which transported Mr. Fujimori from Japan to Chile over flew Peruvian territory duly authorized by the country's Transport Ministry Civil Aviation Agency.

Apparently "Leading Edge Aviation" company from Texas, with Mr. Fujimori on board requested to fly across Peruvian air space, although there's no way of knowing who was on board since it's not mandatory to report it.

The Peruvian press says the aircraft registry number N949GP figures in Peru's last Sunday's air space control, which was when Mr. Fujimori arrived in Santiago from Japan with a short call in Tijuana, Mexico.

Former president Fujimori fled to exile in Peru in 2000, where he acquired Japanese citizenship given his family's background. In Peru, Congress barred him from office alleging "permanent moral incapacity" and the Electoral Court from running for office until 2011. Fujimori is also wanted on 22 counts of corruption and human rights abuse.

According to Chile's legal system Peru has sixty days to present its extradition case. Meantime the former president, who ruled Peru between 1990 and 2000, remains in custody and was refused bail.

Once the extradition request arrives the Chilean Supreme Court has three months to a year to decide.

Mr. Fujimori's "return operation" was motivated by his intention of running for president in April 2006 as he has been threatening for the last two years.