Chile joint exercise angers Peru

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

The Chilean Air Force is hosting a major joint military exercise this week in the Atacama Desert.

It will be joined by the air forces of the United States, Argentina, Brazil and France as they practise how to repel an enemy invasion.

The exercise is being staged in the politically sensitive north of Chile, close to the disputed border with Peru.

The show of military strength has sparked a diplomatic row between the two South American neighbours.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8315145.stm

[Captain Hilts]

1. There's a lot of anger building up in that area. nt

[Judi Lynn]

2. Only a couple of weeks ago, Chile invited Peru to send an oberserver to the exercises.

Chile invites Peru to disputed military exercise
(AP) – Sep 29, 2009

SANTIAGO, Chile — The Chilean air force said Tuesday it has invited its Peruvian counterpart to send observers to military maneuvers that Peru has interpreted as threatening and wants canceled.

The air exercise is set for late October in an area of northern Chile near Peru and is to include participation by the air forces of the United States, France, Brazil and Argentina.

"The government has complete control of the maneuvers over solely Chilean territory. To show our transparency in the matter, the Chilean air force has invited the air force of Peru to send inspectors to witness these maneuvers," Chilean Defense Minister Francisco Vidal said.

Peruvian officials have not said if they will accept the invitation, but First Vice President Luis Giampietri said Tuesday that he thought the most prudent thing would be for Chile to not hold the maneuvers.

"I think it is showing their teeth, which is not necessary at this moment. We know they are well armed; (Chile) doesn't have to show its strength," he said.

More:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jF-2T...

[LiberalLovinLug]

3. United States WITH Argentina?

Now that's odd.

[Dogmudgeon]

4. But Luv is in the air

It's our new Appalachian Trail, mi vida!

--d!

[David Zephyr]

5. Meanwhile, Chile continues to deny Bolivia a port.

Chile has never been a good neighbor to Peru, Bolivia or Argentina.

Apparently, even when the governments change from right to left, there's a streak of the cavelier.

Chile should do the right thing and give Bolivia the port they always say they will. That would be the right thing.

[AlphaCentauri]

6. A mounted air show to sell them airplanes

mostly US junk nothing to defeat a russian army


http://www.realtruth.org/news/090929-008-america.html

[spanza]

7. Chile, Peru, Bolivia and... the British

The land where they made their exercise was conquered from Bolivia and Peru 130 years ago (Guerra del Pacifico).
First, the Chileans got the saltpeter deposits, the guano and then all their copper. These resources were acquired by British capitals when the war ended. Many historians say that this war was planned by Chile and the British conservative party, during Disraeli's government.

[bemildred]

8. It is amazing how much in South America still has a British stamp on it.

And was originally about the ownership of saltpeter, guano, copper, and the like.