MEDIA REACTION - CHILE/U.S. FTA

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000377 SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM, INL STATE FOR INR/IAA, PM, INL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI KIPR IPR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - CHILE/U.S. FTA February 21 business and financial "Diario Financiero" (circ. 20,000) ran an editorial entitled "Chile-U.S. FTA Pending Issues" concurring with Ambassador Craig Kelly's remarks in a February 19 interview on the need for Chile to improve intellectual property rights protection. Block quote follows: "The Free Trade Agreements that Chile has signed demonstrate its openness to the world. But there are still some specific and complex pending issues, such as IPR. A case in point is Chile's non-compliance with IPR requirements in the Free Trade Agreement signed with the United States. Washington has repeatedly brought this issue to the forefront, and has sent several messages that Chile must resolve this problem now. U.S. Ambassador Craig Kelly reiterated that the U.S. will continue to work with the government of Chile on the IPR chapter of the Free Trade Agreement.... Just a few months ago, Kelly warned Chile about Washington's concern on this matter. It is yet to be seen if Chile will get tough on piracy and IPR, and if the new administration (of Chile) will resolve the problem." KELLY