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Chilean government starts talking with protesters

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Chilean government starts talking with protestersMasked demonstrators set barricades during riots after a rally in support of Aysen residents and against Chile’s hydroelectric policies in downtown Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Thousands of residents in the far southern Chilean region of Aysen are suffering from food and fuel shortages as protesters block roads over high energy prices. (AP Photo/Roberto Candia)(Credit: AP)

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chile’s government has agreed to talks with protesters after 40 days of conflict in the southern Aysen region, where people frustrated with the high cost of living have repeatedly blockaded roads and confronted police.

Both sides met Friday to set terms for talks that are to be held next week in Santiago.

Activist leaders have presented a list of 11 demands, including a subsidy for high gasoline prices and a duty free area for food. Everything is more expensive in Chile’s remote southern regions more than 1,000 miles (nearly 1,700 kilometers) from the capital.

The government of President Sebastian Pinera has agreed to pull back police.

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