PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT OF CHILE

Press Briefing

PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT OF CHILE

Ricardo Lagos, President of Chile, told correspondents this afternoon at a press conference that his speech to the Assembly this morning had touched upon several issues that were fundamental to Chile, concerning globalization and the world order. Major changes were occurring and out of those, new global provisions and structures would emerge. It was important to monitor how those new structures were established and to ensure that all countries were given the possibility of participating in the elaboration of the new norms. What happened in the world had a large impact on Chile, he said, pointing out that fifty per cent of its economic production was linked to international events.

There appeared to be no set rules governing the growth of globalization for the time being, he told a correspondent. “We’re all playing it by ear for now but there are going to have to be discussions”, he explained. Those discussions would necessarily involve the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other financial and trade institutions.

Questioned about his bilateral meetings with Spain and the United Kingdom, President Lagos said there had been rapid progress in widening the scope of their bilateral relations. Several obstacles had been removed. Chile was trying to establish a free trade agreement with the European Union and that issue had been a large part of the conversations with Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy as well. He noted that one-third of Chile’s foreign trade was with Europe.

He added that Chile had standards that governed its foreign and domestic investments. “We are a country that has done what it needed to do to put our finances in order.” There were very few countries that could boast a 5.8 per cent growth rate. And while there was concern over the unemployment rate, the problem was being addressed.

In response to a question about a Venezuelan statement concerning a border dispute between Chile and Bolivia, President Lagos said it was a bilateral issue, and while other countries were free to hold opinions, it was not appropriate for other countries to attempt to insert themselves into it. Venezuela had nothing to do with the issue. There was a governing treaty of 1914 signed with Bolivia which was still in force.

A correspondent said that a document concerning Colombia signed at the recent Brazilian summit had been described as dangerous by President Chavez of Venezuela. President Lagos responded that all participants, including President Chavez, had signed the peace plan. Everyone supported Colombia in its efforts to put an end to political violence and supported efforts to encourage a dialogue with the guerrillas. Matters dealing with drug trafficking were completely separate and required their own discussion.

Lagos Press Conference - 2 - 6 September 2000

Asked for a response to attempts to have President Castro of Cuba arrested and tried in the United States for crimes against humanity, President Lagos said there should be an international legal order for all crimes.

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