PERU: President Alan Garcia attends military parade as officials demand answers from Chile over spy dispute

Record ID: 449637

  • Title: PERU: President Alan Garcia attends military parade as officials demand answers from Chile over spy dispute
  • Date: 9th December 2009
  • Summary: GARCIA SALUTING MILITARY OFFICERS AND JUDGES HORSES AT THE FRONT OF THE PARADE
  • Embargoed: 24th December 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Peru
  • Country: Peru
  • Topics: International Relations,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVA1HSGO6WRIOUW5LTPJGA6SQ2KF
  • Story Text: Peruvian President Alan Garcia led off a military parade Tuesday (December 8) in Lima, marking the 188th anniversary of the independence of Peru.
    A military regiment escorted Garcia to the official podium where the leader saluted military officers and officially started the parade which was originally scheduled for July 29 but had been postponed due to the outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus.
    The parade highlighted various regiments of the Army, Navy and Air Force and also displayed Chinese-made MTB tanks recently acquired by Peru from the Asian power.
    Thousands watched as soldiers marched in different uniforms and displayed tanks missiles and night vision weaponry but Peru's Prime Minister, Javier Velasquez and Defence Minister, Rafael Rey used the opportunity to put pressure on Chile to provide an explanation for a spy scandal that has shaken relations between the two neighbors since mid November when Peru accused and arrested a member of its own Air Force for allegedly spying for Chile.
    "President [of Chile, Michelle] Bachelet has announced that in the next few days they are going to give the results of their investigation. And as we all know, because we have seen the evidence, and it is very clear, the government of Chile is going to have to give an explanation to Peru," said Velasquez.
    "What was clear to me was that if there had been objectivity and a serious investigation, the check would clearly show what we have already determined. [The spy] was discovered by the air force because the evidence was very strong and this is what actually happened," added Rey.
    Soon after the arrest was made President Garcia demanded a detailed explanation from Chile.
    In response Chile's President Michelle Bachelet blasted the accusations, calling them 'offensive and haughty'.
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