Van Klaveren defends Bachelet’s support for Olympic Games in China

To see international photos, click here

SANTIAGO.- Today, Vice-Chancellor Alberto Van Klaveren defended President Michelle Bachelet´s support for the Beijing Olympic Games, despite Chinese repression in Tibet.

“We haven’t come here as advocates, nor to point fingers at anyone” he stated.

Van Klaveren explained that Chile and China continue to have a “State relationship, not a governmental one given the status of political cooperation”.

Nevertheless, Van Klaveren emphatically reiterated Chile’s dedication to human rights.  “We will continue to demonstrate the same dedication we have shown in the past, but in the forums where it is addressed”, he stated.

Meanwhile, Vice President Edmundo Pérez Yoma maintained that “the President is exclusively in charge of Foreign Affairs and so it is not appropriate for any of us to speak out about this matter”.