Chile defends military presence in Haiti
Defense Minister Jaime Ravinet said Thursday that Chile's military presence in Haiti is of a humanitarian nature and not out of self-interest.

"Chile is not there to acquire votes or other advantages. It is helping a brother nation," Ravinet told reporters, referring to the possible change in Haiti's stance regarding the election of Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Haiti had said it would vote for the Chilean candidate to the OAS' top post, but has reportedly changed mind and may now choose the Mexican candidate.

Ravinet said that thanks to the presence of some Latin American countries in Haiti under the coordination of the United Nations, there is relative peace in the country.

The 6,000-strong multinational UN mission in Haiti was deployed last year to help restore calm in the country after the ouster of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Ravinet made the remarks in Dallas, United States, where he is to receive the first of the 10 F-16 combat airplanes Chile bought from the Lockheed Martin company.

On the purchase, he said it was very important for a country to maintain "the national security and avoid attacks," adding that these airplanes will replace old ones, which are more than 30 years old and cost a lot in maintenance.