The following are editorial opinions from newspapers from around the world which may be of interest to Royal Gazette readers.

The Times, London, on US intervention over sovereignty of the Falkland Islands

What was she thinking? By taking a last-minute detour, on her five-day trip to Latin America, to visit President Fernandez de Kirchner in Buenos Aires, Hillary Clinton has — recklessly — given the appearance of throwing America's weight behind Argentina in its row with Britain over sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

Intruding in the dispute was lamentable enough. But in further offering to mediate between Buenos Aires and London, the US Secretary of State is implying that there may be some fruitful area of grey between their rival black-and-white claims.

By suggesting so boldly that there may be room for negotiation when Britain has insisted that there is none, Clinton gives the impression that Argentina has America's tacit support in the dispute. ...

Speaking as one close ally to another, Britain must remind America that it has no need for a go-between in its quarrel with Buenos Aires, since it has full confidence in the legitimacy of its territorial claim. Britain is, rightly, dismayed that Clinton seems to be encouraging Argentina to believe that any hopes it might nurse of possessing the Falklands one day may not be impossibly fanciful. This is a disservice to Argentina, and an undeserved snub to Britain. ...

The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, –on Chile earthquake

The earthquake that hit Chile was about 500 times more powerful than the quake that devastated Haiti in January, even though the death count is thankfully far lower.

Because Chile is prone to earthquakes, it has stricter building codes, and it's also a far more prosperous country than Haiti.

But this is still an enormous catastrophe. Chile, like Haiti, will need help — both now, as it works against the clock to rescue trapped victims, and later as it starts to recover from the 8.8 magnitude earthquake and strong aftershocks. The disaster killed at least 700 people and destroyed 500,000 homes, affecting about 2 million people.

"We generally do not ask for help," Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said just after the quake hit. Later Chile's government officially requested international assistance. "We are confronting an emergency without parallel in Chile's history," she said.

Reaching out is the right thing to do, and President Barack Obama and other international leaders signalled a willingness to help even before Chile made an official request. The stricken country's initial list of needs includes temporary bridges, field hospitals, field kitchens, satellite phones and generators.

This disaster, coming on the heels of the Haitian quake, will no doubt strain the resources of relief agencies. But as a spokesperson for the National Children's Fund told The Wall Street Journal, "We would never say to Chile if they contacted us, 'Sorry, we're too busy in Haiti and can't help.' We would definitely respond somehow."

Louisianians understand why that's important. While many voices predicted that Katrina fatigue would set in quickly, organisations and individuals who came to our aid after the storm have continued to help in our recovery.

That same spirit should move people to respond to Chile's people as they did earlier to those of Haiti.