NEW PRO-CHAVEZ PUBLICATION IN LIMA

UNCLAS LIMA 003379 SIPDIS WHA FOR BFRIEDMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PE VE SUBJECT: NEW PRO-CHAVEZ PUBLICATION IN LIMA ¶1. SUMMARY: A pro-Chavez, leftist publication entitled "Wankar" ("the Song of the People" in Quechua) recently appeared in Lima. The first issue has a slick paper cover with a dramatic color photo of Chavez sporting his commando cap, his fist raised in the air. The masthead of the magazine as well as the subjects and/or authors of most of the articles are members of the Peruvian Communist Party-Patria Roja (PCP-PR). The high quality of the cover graphics, the timing of the magazine's appearance, its low price, and the prominent way in which the publication features Hugo Chavez all suggest outside financing. END SUMMARY. ¶2. A pro-Chavez, leftist publication entitled "Wankar" ("the Song of the People" in Quechua) recently appeared in Lima. Embassy's copies were purchased at Jockey Plaza, an upscale suburban shopping mall. The magazine's appearance was obviously intended to coincide with both national strike days (July 14) and the recent visit of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The first issue has a slick paper cover with a dramatic color photo of Chavez sporting his commando cap, his fist raised in the air. Accompanying text reads: "The Sword of Bolivar in Peru: Welcome President Chavez!" A subtitle for the publication itself states that the magazine will be "the voice of those from below." The magazine sells for two soles (about USD .65). ¶3. The inside of the publication does not share the technical sophistication of the cover. Paper quality is far less and occasionally the layout is poor. The magazine dedicates significant space to the creation of "a broad front" (El Frente Amplio),a recent effort to bring together over 30 Peruvian leftist parties, a number of them tiny splinter groups, to advocate social revolution. The directors of the magazine as well as the subjects and/or authors of most of the articles are members of the Peruvian Communist Party-Patria Roja (PCP-PR),though some members of other leftist/marxist groups are also represented. Among those listed are Alberto Moreno, PCP-PR Secretary General, and Hector Bejar, a former 1960s-era "foquista" and contemporary activist for peasants' and miners' rights. One American is listed on the masthead, James Petras, a sociologist from SUNY Binghamton, although Petras is not listed as author of any of the articles in the magazine. ¶4. Magazine articles deal with the political opportunities offered by the allegedly imminent fall of the United States ("the new Babylon"),the formation of the Broad Front by the Peruvian left, mine conflicts, environmental destruction, opposition to coca eradication, revolution in Bolivia, the CIA, and recent leftist youth meetings, both in Peru as well as the recent 13th World Festival of Students in Caracas. Quechua words and phrases are liberally sprinkled throughout with a final article that profiles a recently-deceased leftist scholar of Quechua, Alfredo Torero. The magazine refers readers to a website, www.frenteamplio.org. The web page states that it is under construction. ¶5. COMMENT: While Wankar's content is symptomatic of historic PCP-PR propaganda, the high quality of the cover graphics, the timing of its appearance, its low price, and the prominent way in which the publication features Hugo Chavez all suggest outside financing. The first issue promises further ones to follow, but none have to date. END COMMENT. STRUBLE