Buoyant Chile escapes bloody past to reinvent the Latin way.

Byline: Hannah Baldock

Jul. 25--When Chilean President Ricardo Lagos met President Bush in Washington on Monday, after celebrating an upswing in bilateral trade following last September's free trade agreement, Bush highlighted Chile's "very important role in our neighbourhood".

He had in mind the reconstruction of Haiti and advocacy of a prompt referendum in Venezuela over the divisive rule of President Hugo Chavez. He was also marking Chile's economic success, which stands in stark contrast to many of its neighbours.

According to figures from Cep