MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Rice to visit Chile for Bachelet's taking office ceremony

Chilean president Ricardo Lagos confirmed Thursday that United States Secretary of State Condolezza Rice would be participating next March 11 in the taking office ceremony of elected president Michelle Bachelet, the first woman to lead Chile.

Outgoing President Lagos is scheduled to have an interview with Ms Rice before he leaves office.

"Let's hope Ms Rice's visit brings a positive spirit to the region", said Mr. Lagos in reference to recent statements from US Secretary of State calling on a regional group to help "contain" the destabilization influence of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

According to the Chilean press President Lagos is actually sponsoring a block of countries to support President Chavez, and "expects his visit will not cause further irritations with United States".

However, no official US confirmation or details of the Ms Rice's visit to Chile have been released.

"Anyhow it's a great honour for Chile to receive the US Secretary of State in such a special occasion for Chile and our democratic system", emphasized President Lagos.

Apparently Ms. Rice in early March will be involved in a brief tour of the Pacific rim of South America including Peru, on March 12, plus Ecuador and Bolivia.

As happens in these occasions, most Latinamerican presidents are expected to be present in Santiago next March 11 when Ms Bachelet takes office.