"La Zamacueca" by Manuel Antonio Caro.

POLITICS

New Constitution Strengthens
Democracy in Chile

Ricardo Lagos,
President of Chile

With 58 new amendments to the 1980 Constitution which eliminate the last "authoritarian enclaves" remaining in the document imposed during the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet, President Ricardo Lagos announced that the Chilean transition to democracy, which began with the opposition victory in the 1988 plebiscite, was completed. The changes to the Constitution, unanimously approved by the Chilean Congress, will take effect on March 11, 2006 , and restore the presidential authority to remove the commanders-in-chief of the Armed Forces, as well as eliminate the position of lifetime senators, leaving the Senate comprised of 38 elected members. The role of "appointed senators" (among them, former military commanders) , are also abolished.

In the new charter, the investigative powers of the Chamber of Deputies are strengthened; the presidential term is shortened from six to four years; the immediate reelection of the president is prohibited; and children born to Chilean parents abroad will automatically be granted Chilean citizenship, thus removing the current requirement to reside in Chile for more than a year before receiving it.

On September 17, the Palacio de la Moneda, home to the president's offices, will once again bear witness to an historic event. In a solemn ceremony, to be held on the day preceding Chile's Independence Day, President Ricardo Lagos will sign the text of the new Constitution .

"We all know that the Constitution, born as an expression of an authoritarian regime, did not express the will of the majority of Chileans, and much less an expression of national unity while the new text expresses today the unity of all Chileans." ," affirmed President Lagos.

Economic activity in Chile grew by 6.3% during the first half of this year, in comparison to the same period for 2004.

(Source: Central Bank, August 23)

Chile is among the top 30 economies in the world (out of a total of 155 nations analyzed) where it is easiest to do business.

(Source: Report from the World Bank "Doing Business in 2006". September)

ECONOMY

Positive Report from the
International Monetary Fund about Chile

At the end of July, the Executive Board of the IMF concluded the Article IV Consultation with Chile . The following are some of their conclusions:

-"Executives Directors commended the Chilean authorities for their consistent and skillful implementation of sound macroeconomics policies, which have helped entrench low inflation and sustain economic growth while contributing to a significant reduction in poverty".

-"Directors observed that Chile's macroeconomics policies, centered on well established rules and institutions, have been reinforced in recent years by strict adherence to the structural fiscal and financial integration and a robust financial system. These policies have paid considerable dividends, providing counter cyclical support to the economy, strengthening its resilience to external shocks, and leading to favorable market rating and sustained economic growth".

-"Directors noted that Chile 's short term outlook appears bright. A favorable global environment, continued strength of mineral prices, the ongoing rebound in private investment, and the pick up in domestic consumption, are expected to contribute to strong economic growth in 2005 and 2006".

- "Directors underscored Chile's leadership role in opening markets through comprehensive and sustained trade and financial market liberalization. They welcomed the implementation of recent bilateral trade agreements and encouraged the authorities to continue their efforts in supporting multilateral trade liberalization".  

Los Jaivas. Kennedy Center

Los Jaivas

The concert

MUSIC

Brilliant Performance of Los Jaivas
in Washington

At the end of the Washington summer and before a large audience of more than 2000 people, the Chilean group Los Jaivas gave a concert for more than 90 minutes in the prestigious Kennedy Center. The September 7 performance took place on the Millennium Stage thanks to the special invitation from the Kennedy Center and under the auspices of the Embassy of Chile in the United States and the Directorate of Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The group, whose music has been described by some as "Andean Rock," has been around since the early '60s, and became internationally recognized with their acclaimed album Alturas de Machu Picchu. Its lyrics are taken from the poems of Chilean Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda, and it is considered one of the greatest albums in Chilean history.

The music of Los Jaivas is a unique and brilliant blend of Andean folk and progressive rock, whose rhythmic sensations are created by combining indigenous instruments-such as the kultrún, trutruca, charango, zampoña and quena-with modern synthesizers, piano, keyboards, drums, guitars and electric bass. Though Los Jaivas ripened as a band during the '70s in France , they embrace a musical style that "seeks the union of mankind," especially between South and Central America.

Among the songs that Los Jaivas performed during the concert, with the participation of a choir, were "Todos juntos," "Corre que te pillo," "Mira niñita," "Mambo de Machaguay," "Sube a nacer conmigo hermano," "Amor Americano," a medley of the album Alturas desde Macchu Picchu, and "Hijos de la Tierra," as well as many others. The group gave two encores for acclamation of the enthusiastic audience. The verses of Pablo Neruda were sung in the Kennedy Center for the first time.

Los Jaivas have not toured the United States in almost 20 years; the current tour continues for more than 20 days with stops in New Jersey , New York , Chicago , San Francisco , and Miami.

In the early days of the Republic of Chile, it became necessary to create official symbols for the new state of Chile.

FLAG . Red, white and blue, with lone white star against a blue background.

COAT-OF -ARMS. In the center is a shield with a five pointed silver star against a background of blue and red. On top is a plume of three feathers, of red, white and blue. Holding the shield on the left is a huemul (cervys chilensis) and on the right a condor, each wearing a crown of gold. At the base is a ribbon: "By right or by might."

SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER, 2005

ü      September 14th-17th: Participation by President Ricardo Lagos in plenary meetings of the 60th United Nations General Assembly. New York .

ü      September 16th: Dinner Dance, with the participation of Chilean folkloric group " Valle de la Patagua". Women's Club of Bethesda. 5500 Sonoma Street. Bethesda, MD. 20817. 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM. $45 per person. Formal or traditional dress. Hosted by Agrupación Chile Area Metropolitana. Washington D.C.

ü      September 18th: Celebration of Chile's Independence Day. Gardens at the Organization of American States, 17 Street & Constitution Ave. 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Free admission. Public parking.

ü      September 18th: The Institute for Policy Studies invites to the annual gathering to remember former Chilean Foreign Affairs Secretary, Orlando Letelier, and his assistant Ronnie Moffitt, murdered in Washington, in 1976. ( Sheridan Circle. 10-11 am ).

ü      September 19th: Chilean Army Day

ü      September 20th-22nd: Participation of Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker in the 60th United Nations General Assembly. New York .

ü      September 22th and 23th: XVI Washington Latin American Film Festival. Mala leche (Bad Blood) Winner of the Horizons Award at the 2004 San Sebastian Film Festival, this gritty feature debut captures the aimlessness of drug-infested delinquent youth culture in Santiago . Thu, September 22, 6:40 ; Fri, September 23, 5:30 . AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring , MD. 8633 Colesville Road Silver Spring , MD 20910 Phone: 301.495.6720

ü      September 24th and 28th: XVI Washington Latin American Film Festival. Mi mejor enemigo (My Best Enemy) A profound indictment of war's cruel futility from first-time writer/director/producer Alex Bowen. Set in 1978, during "the war that never was" (a border dispute between Chile and Argentina ), a Chilean border patrol unit gets lost in the Argentine pampas, then locked down in a trench with Argentine troops. Sat, September 24, 4:15; Wed, September 28, 6:20. AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD. 8633 Colesville Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301.495.6720

ü      September 27th and October 1st: XVI Washington Latin American Film Festival. Promedio Rojo (Failing Grades). The treachery and awkwardness of high school have never been so embarrassing, seen through the eyes (and overactive imagination) of nerdy comic book aficionado Ariel Levy (whose character's name, Roberto Rodriguez, pays homage to comic book geek and SIN CITY director, Robert Rodriguez). Tue, September 27, 9:45 ; Sat, October 1, 10:30 . AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring , MD. 8633 Colesville Road Silver Spring , MD 20910 Phone: 301.495.6720

Embassy of Chile

1732 Massachusetts Av. Washington DC. NW. 20036
Contact Press Office (202) 530 4113
We are also on the web www.chile-usa.org