This research examines the international relations of Chile. The findings of this research are presented in consi derations of (1) the current realities of national power, (2) foreign policy objectives, and (2) recent (since 1960) foreign policy initiatives.
CURRENT REALITIES OF NATIONAL POWER
Current realities of national power for Chile are considered within the contexts of (1) geography, (2) national resources, (3) industrial capacity, (4) military preparedness, (5) population, (6) national will, (7) the quality of diplo macy, and (8) the quality of government. These factors are considered as they hold the potential to have an impact on international relations.
Chile is bounded on the north by Peru, on the east by Argentina and Bolivia, and on the south and west by the Pacific ocean (Paxton, 1990). Geography is highly influential in the country's foreign relations. To the south, an extension of the boundary line between Chile and Argentina extends into the sea. This fact leads directly to two international relations issues.
First, there is the on going dispute between Chile and Argen tina as to how maritime sovereignty should be determined (Mer rill, 1989). Second, this geographic factor has a direct bearing on Chile's long held claim to an official standing with respect to sovereignty in the antarctic (Mitchell, 1980).
National resources, for the purposes of this research, are considered within the context of natural resources. Petroleum deposits were discovered in Chile in 1945 (Paxton, 1990). These reserves are located in the Magallanes region, which is located in the southern part of the country. Annual production approximates 1.5 metric tons (Paxton, 1990). Chile also pos sesses natural gas reserves, and annually produces approxi mately 4.7 billion cubic meters (Paxton, 1990). While these energy resources are significant, they do not fully satisfy domestic demand (The World Bank, 1989). Therefore, C...