Chilean president rejects arms buildup allegations

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet rejected allegations on Friday that her country intended to buy missiles and radars from the United States.

According to information reaching here, Bachelet told a local TV channel in Singapore while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit that "our country has never had intentions of an arms buildup. We have not bought weapons for war reasons."

But the Chilean government must guarantee "the highest possible levels of peace and security," for its citizens, Bachelet added.

The Peruvian government has voiced concern about Chile's purchase of new weapons from the United States.

"We have to evaluate very carefully. It is a delicate issue, and we must be sure of different information," Peru's Production Minister Mercedes Araoz cautioned on Friday.

Also on Friday, about 100 Peruvians went to the Chilean embassy in Lima to protest against what they consider "an arms buildup" on Chile's part.

Source: Xinhua