Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05QUITO2876
2005-12-16 23:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: BOLIVIAN ELECTIONS AND

Tags:  PREL OPRC KIRC KPAO EC 
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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

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