Peru's president urges "silence" on controversial remarks by army commander

[Judi Lynn]

Peru's president urges "silence" on controversial remarks by army commander
www.chinaview.cn 2008-12-02 14:01:17

LIMA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- President Alan Garcia on Monday called for "silence" on controversial remarks concerning Chile that were made by the general commander of the Peruvian army.

Feneral Edwin Donayre had said that in case of an invasion, each "Chilean who enter will not exit, or exit inside a coffin" during a private meeting at the end of last year.

"In Peru, we are ready to declare about anything, always, without knowing that the best way is silence," Garcia told reporters.

The general's remarks were broadcast on Nov. 24 by a Peruvian TV station, and provoked bitterness amongst Chileans.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/02/content_10444735.htm

[Judi Lynn]

1. Offensive remarks by Peruvian general could sour ties between Peru and Chile

2 December, 2008 13:25
Offensive remarks by Peruvian general could sour ties between Peru and Chile

Living in Peru
Jobana Soto

Minister of foreign relations, Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde, confirmed today that Peruvian general Edwin Donayre, who made threatening remarks against Chile in a YouTube video found last week, is expected to retire from his position on December 5, though Belaunde acknowledge that Donayre’s resignation will be on his own terms since the Peruvian government cannot force an army general to resign at the request of a foreign government.

The news has angered many Chileans, including Senator and member of the Foreign Affairs Commission, Hernan Larrain, who believes Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez should remove Donayre from his position.

“I think that today, after having reiterated the statements, if the President of Peru does not dismiss General Donayre, he is condoning his statements and that would be an extremely serious situation,” Larrain told Radio Cooperativa.

General Donayre has refused to apologize stating that he has no regrets for his offensive remarks against Chile.

http://www.livinginperu.com/news-7995-politics-offensive-remarks-peruvian-general-could-sour-ties-between-peru-chile

[Judi Lynn]

2. Peru leader rejects top general's remarks on Chile

26, 2008 -- Updated 2031 GMT (0431 HKT)

Peru leader rejects top general's remarks on Chile

LIMA, Peru (CNN) -- Peruvian President Alan Garcia had to call his counterpart in Chile this week to explain comments by Peru's top army general that Chileans in Peru would be sent back in coffins or body bags.

Peruvian leader Alan Garcia reportedly called his Chilean counterpart to explain a general's controversial remarks.

Garcia called Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday to say that statements by Gen. Edwin Donayre are not the official policy of Peru, Bachelet said.

"We are satisfied by the explanations that the president of Peru has personally given by telephone to the president of Chile, and it is up to the government of Peru to take measures," Bachelet said in impromptu televised remarks as she left an official dinner.

Donayre made the remarks at a party at a friend's house in 2006 or 2007, said CNN affiliate station TVN in Santiago, Chile. The video was downloaded to YouTube in February and surfaced to wider attention Monday.

"We are not going to let Chileans pass by," Donayre says in the amateur-quality video as he offers a toast. " Chilean who enters will not leave. Or will leave in a coffin. And if there aren't sufficient coffins, there will be plastic bags."

More:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/11/26/peru.general.chile/