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Given political history in Chile, it seemed to me that there was a critical task of consolidating a democracy and creating healthy civic-military and political-military relationships.

I don't see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its people. The issues are much too important for the Chilean voters to be left to decide for themselves.

The reason there's not a dictatorship in Chile and that there's a democracy in South Africa and Portugal today - and that Haiti has a nascent democracy - is that the world community as a whole felt outraged. This is the reason Milosevic sits in a jail in The Hague. It's because the world has said, 'Enough.'

Venezuela's government must work toward achieving a true culture of democracy for our region. There's no room for persecution based on ideological reasons or for thinking differently.

I have written about Chile extensively, and therefore I have read many books on the subject, mostly for research.

Chile has done a lot to rid itself of poverty, especially extreme poverty, since the return to democracy. But we still have a ways to go toward greater equity. This country does not have a neoliberal economic model anymore. We have put in place a lot of policies that will ensure that economic growth goes hand in hand with social justice.

Chile isn't the biggest, richest or most powerful country in the world, but we should dedicate ourselves to transforming it into the best country in the world. We don't have a single minute to lose.

Fortunately, we Argentines have decided to change. We believe politics needs to be led by public servants with a vocation to give and construct.

You cannot bribe a Chilean police officer - I know this firsthand.

The essence of a democracy is a free electorate.