CHILE ORDERS CRACKDOWN ON WIDESPREAD LOOTING

Santiago: Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Tuesday criticised the looting and plundering that followed the quake and tsunami that hit the country this weekend.

• "We perfectly understand the anxiety and the pressing needs of people, but we know there are criminal actions by small groups that are causing enormous material and personal damage. We will not accept that," Bachelet said.
• After meeting with representatives of the Chilean Armed Forces, Bachelet said 11,850 army officers and 2,131 navy officers had been deployed in the regions of Maule and Bio Bio, the worst-affected by Saturday's quake, to preserve law and order.
• She said she had ordered "that the required severity be used" to prevent more looting.
• "It is not acceptable that neighbours have to look for means of self-defence to look after whatever little was left after the quake," Bachelet said.
• On the other hand, She noted that emergency shelters and soup kitchens were to be set up Tuesday, and that handouts of food, clothing and blankets would continue.
• Chilean field hospitals will be set up, along with those sent to Chile by Argentina and Brazil in the wake of the devastating quake.
• Three navy ships were to leave for coastal areas, such as the towns of Dichato, Iloca or Constitucion, which were ravaged by the tsunami that followed the quake. Bachelet, who is set to leave office on March 11, played down criticism of what many perceive as a slow government reaction to the disaster.
• A series of aftershocks and likely rain in southern Chile yesterday threatened to make the distribution of aid to quake victims even more difficult.
• The quake, measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, and a resulting tsunami killed more than 700 people. It was felt over 1,600km across Chile.

Source: AP