MEDIA REACTION - INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC)

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000807 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM, INL STATE FOR INR/R/MR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC) ¶1. On April 17, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ., 102,000, 4/17) carried an editorial entitled, "Chile's Accession to the International Criminal Court." Quotes: ¶2. "More than 100 countries have ratified the Rome Statute...creating the International Criminal Court (ICC).... In Chile, the president and the undersecretary of foreign affairs have expressed the GOC's intention to ratify the statute, although the latter said the GOC is waiting 'for the best time to do so,' in reference to the demands the U.S. places on nations that adhere to the ICC. ¶3. "This seems to be the most reasonable position, because on the one hand it reflects political parties' almost unanimous interest that Chile become part of the ICC, while on the other it protects the good state of bilateral relations with the United States.... At the beginning of the week, Chilean authorities said they were awaiting the conclusion of the debate in Washington before resuming the debate on the constitutional reform required for Chile's full accession to the ICC. By doing this, Chile protects the strategic relationship it has developed with the U.S....and by adhering to the Rome Statute, clearly shows that multilateralism and respect for international law are central elements to its foreign policy." KELLY