Chilean leader holds key US talks

Chile and the US have established strong ties

New Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has told President George W Bush that Latin America wants the best possible relations with the United States.

Speaking after talks in Washington, she said the two leaders discussed a number of issues, including ways of strengthening democracy in the region.

Mr Bush said he appreciated President Bachelet's dedication to human rights.

Ms Bachelet's trip comes amid at times violent protests by Chilean students who are demanding education reforms.

The row has been seen as her first real test since her election in January.

'Important ties'

Ms Bachelet said the two leaders were "happy in how our relations have developed".

"We have talked... about how we can build a region in peace, how we can fight together against poverty, for social justice, how we can strengthen democracy in the region," she said.

Ms Bachelet added that a number of economic issues had also been discussed.

In his turn, President Bush said: "The neighbourhood is very important for the United States. It's very important for our country to be engaged, working with friends and allies to help others".

Ms Bachelet's visit comes at a time when anti-American sentiment has increased in some countries, such as Venezuela and Bolivia.

Analysts say Washington hopes Chile - seen in the US as an economic model for Latin America - could help to stem that tide and be pivotal in maintaining political and economic stability in the region.

Ms Bachelet denied reports that Chile was being pressured not to support Venezuela's bid for a non-permanent sea on the UN Security Council.

Student strikes

Ms Bachelet earlier named her new education reform commission, aimed at ending protests by secondary school students in Chile.

The US visit comes amid ongoing student protests in Chile

The reform group will draw up long-term plans to improve Chile's schools and universities.

However, student protest leaders are dissatisfied with President Bachelet's decision to name fewer students to the commission than they were calling for.

Hundreds of people have been arrested during several weeks of protests.

Organisers said a million people joined the action.

Ms Bachelet had called the action "unnecessary", saying her government had agreed to some of the students' demands.

Secondary school students - aged from 14 to 18 - want a complete overhaul of an education system which they say is under-resourced and leads to huge disparities between public and private schools.

They are also calling for free bus passes for all and for a university entrance exam fee to be waived.