DUBLIN: Sometimes it was easier "to win a war than to win the peace", the President of Chile, Mr Ricardo Lagos said in Dublin yesterday.
Comenting on the situation in Iraq, he said: "Now we are in a process, how are we going to be able to win the peace? This is a tremendous challenge for all of us."
He said it was also a challenge for the United Nations Security Council, where Chile is currently serving a two-year term.
Chile did not support the US position at the Council in the lead-up to the Iraqi War last March and observers believe this is the reason it has suffered a delay in the conclusion of a free-trade agreement with the US.
President Lagos said, "It is not possible to relate the fact that we are trying to have a trade agreement with the US with foreign policy. Those are two different things. Second, if you are going to be a partner of somebody you have to be very open and transparent with your future partner."
He added: "For small countries like Ireland, like Chile, the rule of law at the global stage, it is essential."
But the rules of the UN were the rules of the world as it was in 1945: "Probably the time has come to think again of rules a little bit different, according more with the world of the 21st Century."
Asked by a Chilean journalist what were the main factors in Irish economic growth, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern said: "Our areas of success have been the broad area of information communication technologies but also pharmaceuticals and chemicals. We have endeavoured over these last 15 years - I suppose for 40 years - to try to make sure we are a competitive trading nation, and that in the areas where we have some expertise and advantage, that we achieved critical mass."