MEDIA REACTION: BOLIVIAN ELECTIONS AND

UNCLAS QUITO 002876 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R/MR, WHA, WHA/AND, WHA/PDA DIRONDCP FOR PA EMBASSIES FOR PAO/IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OPRC KIRC KPAO EC SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: BOLIVIAN ELECTIONS AND VENEZUELA ¶1. "Evo Morales' Logic" editorial (12/16) in Quito's leading centrist "El Comercio" (circ. 70,000) Quote: ". . . Evo Morales is leading the polls; he won't make it in the first round and probably some parliamentary alliance will choose his opponent. Thus, in the revolutionary Latin American logic -- nationalistic, populist and anti-American -- the cycle of democratic options will be exhausted and the future of Bolivia will be more uncertain than ever before. "Although it is difficult to explain this behavior that surfaces wildly in the highlands and in other areas of Latin America, what is even more incomprehensible is the historical role of the U.S. "The difference with European powers in this field is noteworthy. They embarked in cruel and repressive confrontations with native Africans in order to thwart independence; however, later on, in compensation or out of bad conscience, they developed assistance policies for their former colonies. On the contrary, the relationship between the U.S. and the rest of the continent since independence is marked by an imposed unilateralism . or indifference. "In this context, the emergence of atypical, rhetorical leaders who rally par excellence and are prone to stage impossible revolutions is natural. ". . . after Sunday's electoral outcome in Bolivia, we will have to measure the collateral effects it will have on South America's poorest economy. . ." ¶2. "Chavez Consolidates," a column (12/15) by Raul Falconi in Guayaquil's conservative "El Telegrafo" (circ. 8,000) Quote: "Recent congressional elections in Venezuela give President Chavez a clear mandate for creating a Bolivarian constitution. . . Chavez has maintained his unbeatable electoral support despite powerful opposition from the U.S., and from traditional political parties that have lost control of the country and of the upper middle class. "The President has become, in addition, a relevant actor in Latin American politics lately. . .With Venezuela, MERCOSUR secures an economic bloc increasingly powerful that will be able to negotiate with the U.S. with more equity. . .Venezuela, sustained by its President's policies and its oil wealth is heading toward becoming a real regional power with a strong international presence. We'll certainly have Chavez's presence for a while." JEWELL