MEDIA REACTION - TERRORISM

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001682 SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM, INL STATE FOR INR/R/MR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI TERRORISM SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - TERRORISM On August 10, conservative, influential "El Mercurio" (circ. 116,807) ran a column by international commentator Karin Ebensperger entitled, "Terrorism and Strategy." Quotes: "President George W. Bush announced to the world that there would be less terrorism after the invasion of Iraq. But this has not been the case, because the United States is leading an old-fashioned war in Iraq...and the retaliations for that war are costing too many lives in other countries.... "Washington is leading the war against terrorism and does not like to share strategies with other nations. But the consequences do affect other countries.... This is why there should be an end to the concept that one large power can develop international strategies without seeking agreements. U.S. public opinion is powerful.... Our hope is that one day that public opinion will make Washington realize that today's major challenges--AIDS, narcotics trafficking, the environment, nuclear proliferation, and especially terrorism--are by definition international problems that surpass frontiers. No power can or should confront them alone." KELLY