Chile to provide electoral advice to Iraq

The Iraqi authorities accepted on Friday the support for electoral issues offered by Chile four months ago during a conference of donors for Iraq, Chilean Vice Foreign Minister Cristian Barros said.

He added that experts of the Chilean Electoral Service will study ways to support the establishment of a democratic electoral system in Iraq, after the Arab country accepted the offer of support made by the government of Chile's President Ricardo Lagos.

Barros said the issue has yet to be discussed "with the expertsof the electoral service, but we'll do it soon."

The diplomat expressed his confidence that his country's participation will help Iraq carry out general elections in different areas. "This is a contribution we can make, it is withinour reach and is important," he added.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Chile didnot support the US-led war on Iraq last year.

Source: Xinhua