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