Former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet said yesterday to a meeting of right-wing supporters that Chile may one day see another military coup like the one that brought him to power in 1973.

Chilean officials met recently to discuss an anticipated U.S. lawsuit alleging illegal dumping of Chilean salmon on the American market. Chile fears the trade dispute could not only lead to sanctions, which could cost the country over $200 million, but could also threaten Chile's bid to join the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

The new head of Peru's anti-terrorist directorate (Dincote), General Maximo Rivera Diaz, has established a new "Delta" force to deal with the renewed Shining Path activity in Lima. The Shining Path recently resurfaced with new, highly coordinated tactics.

Argentina's Foreign Minister Guido di Tella recently confirmed the Menem government's desire to regain the Falkland/Malvinas Islands by the year 2000 to 2002. He outlined a strategy of establishment of increased lines of communications with the islands, in conjunction with diplomatic efforts to establish Argentine sovereignty over them.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister John Chang left today for a visit to an undisclosed country in the Asia-Pacific region, possibly Indonesia. Taiwan has no diplomatic ties in Asia, having been effectively isolated by China.

Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto has used his visits to Central and South American leaders this week to press for support of Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the U.N.'s Security Council.

Iranian and Turkish electrical grids were linked on August 28, with Turkey to purchase Iranian-generated electricity. Plans are underway for the establishment of a 400kV high-voltage line between the countries, to allow for increased import of Iranian electricity in the future.

In what is likely to be a case of "too little, too late," Colombian President Ernesto Samper has announced a new three-fold military strategy to deal with the major rebel offensive launched August 30.

Tokyo has withheld official announcement of an Autumn visit by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, adding to suspicion that elections may be imminent. Kohl's visit, scheduled for October 31 to November 3, would likely be canceled if, as is expected, the Diet is dissolved for November elections at the beginning of the October session.

Volkswagen AG revealed this week that they have been under surveillance for the last several months, and may have been the victim of industrial espionage for the last eight years. A camouflaged surveillance camera was found on one of Volkswagen's test tracks.