Portion below; whole thing here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-04-06-palestine-chile_N.htmLA CALERA, Chile (AP) — Cheering Chileans raised the Palestinian flag, served national and Arabic fare and played local folk music Sunday to welcome 39 Palestinian refugees who will make this South American country their home after fleeing violence in Iraq.
"We hope that suffering will be a thing of the past, and Chile the source of your new happiness," Deputy Interior Minister Felipe Harboe said as he welcomed the 16 adults and 23 children who had spent months stranded at a desert camp on the Iraqi-Syrian border.
The refugees were the first of 117 Palestinians whom the Chilean government has agreed to receive under a plan coordinated with the Catholic Church and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The refugees will live in La Calera, a city northwest of the capital, Santiago, that has a strong Arabic community. More than 1,000 residents gathered in the central plaza applauded as the refugees, dressed in dark-colored heavy clothing, stepped off a bus after a nearly two-day journey from Damascus, Syria.
A folk group played Chilean music and performed the "cueca," Chile's national dance. A children's choir sang the Palestinian anthem as the Palestinian flag was slowly raised.
"The doors of our hearts open up for you today," said the Rev. Rodrigo Tupper, head of the church agency aiding the refugees.
Appearing relaxed but tired, the refugees responded with smiles and nods, some uttering "gracias" to the crowd.
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