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Latin America | 24 August, 2006 [ 09:29 ]

Chilean Foreign Minister Foxley apologizes for Tarud remarks

LIMA (wb) - Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley apologized for the statements made by Jorge Tarud, chairman of Chile's Commission for Foreign Relations, blaming Peru's ex-President Alejandro Toledo and ex-presidential candidate Ollanta Humala of "obstructing Chilean-Peruvian relations and creating a tense atmosphere".

Peruvian Congressman Carlos Bruce, a member of Toledo's party "Peru Posible" and ex-minister in Toledo's administration, informed that Foxley “apologized to Peru's President of Congress, Mercedes Cabanillias, for the views expressed by the Chilean member of the delegation that signed the "Agreement of Economic Complementation" (ACE) on Tuesday in Lima.

However, Tarud reinforced his criticism yesterday. “I cannot take back what I said because I only stated what is real. I simply expressed what we Chileans have felt at that time. When I said that the relations between both countries were tense during the time of the Toledo administration I didn't say anything false. I am only trying to establish the truth”, he argued.

“When I said that ex-presidential candidate Ollanta Humala permanently targeted Chile during his electoral campaign, I was only stating the truth. I haven't insulted anyone, I have only stated reality and facts”, he emphasized.

Referring to the subsequent response by Daniel Abugattás, nationalistic congressman of Humala's UPP alliance, who requested his resignation and expulsion from Peru for his declarations, Tarud said that if there are different views on the matter they should be discussed with arguments.

“When I hear that a Peruvian legislator aggressively demands my resignation, I am asking him with all due respect: why don't you confront me with real arguments? Expelling people is a practice of dictatorships”, he expressed.

Tarud also assured to have perceived “a constructive spirit from the great majority of Peruvian congressmen representing all political parties, including those of Mr. Ollanta Humala”.

In this context he specifically mentioned Nationalist party member Victor Mayorga who gave him a personal greeting card welcoming him as a friend with whom we have much in common”.

“Senor Victor Mayorga is a well-educated person who greeted me with friendliness. I always accept friendly greetings from a friend. That is one way of working together”, he pointed out.

Peru's Foreign Minister Garcia Belaunde asserted yesterday that no negative commentary will affect the “good relations” between the governments of both countries.

“I don't believe these declarations will harm the good relations between both countries”, he commented. He also denied the existence of some sort of strategy which seeks to cloud the relations between Peru and Chile.

He also indicated that the pending political subjects with Chile, such as the maritime border, are included in a mutual agenda but possible discrepancies on the matter will not stop the progress made in other topics.

Not everything is "peace, joy and pancakes" it seems.

tags : Peru politics LatinAmerica Chile Foxley Tarud Belaunde foreignrelations

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