MEDIA REACTION US PRESIDENT BUSH'S POPULARITY

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000579 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R/MR, I/GWHA, WHA, WHA/PDA, WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC CDR USSOCOM FOR J-2 IAD/LAMA SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL MEDIA REACTION SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION US PRESIDENT BUSH'S POPULARITY RATING CHILEAN PRESIDENT MICHELE BACHELET'S INAUGURATION CEREMONY RICE AND MORALES MEETING THE US- LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONSHIP US-CHILEAN TIES US- URUGUAYAN FTA USG AND ARGENTINA ON THE TRI-BORDER AREA 03/13/06 ¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT Major international stories from the weekend cover socialist pediatrician Michelle Bachelet's swearing in as the nation's first female president; the US President's popularity rating; the presidents of Argentina and Uruguay reaching an agreement to suspend construction of two pulp mills; Iran ruling out a proposal to move its uranium enrichment program to Russia; and the US-Latin American relationship. Leading "Clarin" reports the Argentine Government's reaction to statements made by US Assistant Secretary for the Treasury on Terrorist Financing Patrick O'Brien during his visit to Buenos Aires. Conservative "La Prensa" reports that US Ambassador Lino Gutierrez and Argentine FM Jorge Taiana signed a deal to broaden the scope of seismic monitoring activity in Paso Flores, province of Ro Negro, in support of national requirements and the International Monitoring System (IMS) under development by signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty (CTBT). ¶2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES - "Record lack of support and Republican criticism of Bush" Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for daily-of-record "La Nacion," comments (03/11) "Worn out by the current situation in Iraq, some domestic problems and a G.O.P. that is starting to rebel in order to have a chance to compete in this year's legislative elections, President George W. Bush reached the lowest level of support of his five years in the White House. "According to CBS News and AP-Ipsos' latest opinion surveys, only 34-37% of Americans approve of his performance..., while his immediate predecessors had 60% approval during their fifth year in office. "Bush acknowledged yesterday that his public support ratings are low, but attributed this to a responsible administration. "Furthermore, almost 70% of Republicans (and four out of every five Americans) believe that the US has chosen the wrong path, that the status of the economy is a topic of concern, and that a civil war looms on Iraq's horizon (the most sensitive point of Bush's foreign policy)." - "Morales and Rice spoke about the fight against drug trafficking" Leandro Uria, on special assignment in Valparaiso for daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (03/12) "One day after having captured media attention in Santiago..., Bolivian President Evo Morales showed his pragmatism and met yesterday with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rise. "However, Morales gave a signal that he will not cede in his demands when he presented Rice with a charango (small guitar) with laminated coca leaves... "For her part, Rice made an effort to underscore that Washington wants to be a good friend of Bolivia and said that there has been bilateral cooperation so far in the fight on terrorism and drugs. Rice told the traveling media 'We have a good relationship with Bolivia and want to maintain it as it is.'" - "Morales announces first deals have been reached with the US" Business-financial "Ambito Financiero" reports (03/13) "Bolivian President Evo Morales managed to reach preliminary deals with the US during an interview with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "Rice and Morales, who held a 30-minute meeting in Valparaiso..., reached an agreement on economic and social issues. "When he returned to Bolivia, Morales himself said that during his meeting with Rice they talked about broadening tariff preferences in the US. "... Regarding the fight on drugs and the removal of coca plantations, Morales informed that 'they talked about reaching an agreement to establish an alliance in the fight against drug trafficking while respecting coca leaf cultivation." - "The US should look to its backyard more frequently" Business-financial "El Cronista" carries an opinion piece by Juan Tokatlian, director, Political Science and International Relations, Universidad de San Andres, who writes (03/13) "In a traditional scenario in the US-Latin American relationship, Washington seems irritated by certain Southern trends... This has given rise to some particular disorder - the 'frustrated superpower syndrome.' "In the case of Latin America, Washington does not perceive the region in an absolutely negative way but as a dependent counterpart. "... In brief, the US attitude continues to stagnate in unilateral myopia and coactive diplomacy. "The US and region should focus on what can be called the four D-agenda - democracy, debt, development and drugs... It is urgent to revitalize the OAS as the key forum to deal with these issues. "While it is true that a stable and prosperous Latin America is vital for US interests, it is crucial that Washington abandon the underlying biases and policies that have deepened the frustrated superpower syndrome." - "Chile - an invitation to improve democracies" Oscar Raul Cardoso, international analyst of leading "Clarin," opines (03/11) "... Among the heads of foreign delegations that will participate in Bachelet's presidential inauguration there will be US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who has long said SIPDIS that she is not negatively disposed toward leftist Latin American leaders. "... However, there are thorny issues between the US and Chile. "The Chilean Congress is about to ratify its accession to the Treaty of Rome, which is intended to judge those who committed crimes against humanity. Washington is against this instrument, and Chile does not seem willing to grant the special privilege the USG demands for its troops. "On the other hand, Bachelet could well review the participation of the Chilean military in the multinational force that is occupying Haiti..." - "Uruguay will broaden its commercial ties with the US" Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (03/11) "US and Uruguayan high-ranking government officials will meet next month in this capital city in order to broaden the commercial ties between the two countries, paving the way for an eventual bilatera FTA. "... During a meeting held by the Council of the Americas, in Miami, Uruguayan Industry and Energy Minister Jorge Lepra explained that Tabare Vazquez wants to deepen the country's commercial ties with the US, although Uruguayan government officials will only focus 'for the moment' on obtaining better access to US markets for the country's products (such as meat and software) rather than on a future FTA." - "The Argentine Government responds to the US on the Tri-border" Ernesto Azarkevich, on special assignment in Posadas for leading "Clarin," comments (03/11) "Argentine Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez challenged the US to 'prove' that international terrorism receives funding in the Tri-border, as said Patrick O'Brien, high-ranking Treasury official during an anti-money laundering seminar. "Fernandez arrived in Posadas on Thursday night to attend a meeting of the Interior Security Council. Fernandez... sustained that 'speaking of the Tri- border as such is too abstract,' and he emphasized that the three federal forces (Coast Guard, Sea Guard and the Federal Police) are permanently monitoring the area.' "Regarding alleged terrorist financing at the Tri- border, Fernandez asserted 'One should not say those things, one should prove them and point out those responsible for them.' Fernandez also rejected O'Brien's statements about the need for updating Argentine legislation. Fernandez said 'with the tools we have at hand, it is enough for us,' although he acknowledged that 'one can always find room for improvement.'" ¶3. EDITORIALS - "Chile, an example for the region" Leading "Clarin" editorializes (03/13) "Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's presidential inauguration ceremony has been a major event for the democracies of the region at a time that leaders need help to make agreement prevail over disagreement. "... The new (Chilean) government inherits political stability and economic growth, although it should attend to needs for innovation and face unequal income distribution... "The first gestures of the brand-new president toward the region emphasize the strategic priority she will assign to the region in her foreign policy and her closeness with several political leaders. In sum, this is a good start to face the coming problems and the challenges ahead." - "Unfulfilled commitments" An editorial in conservative "La Prensa" reads (03/12) "The US is confident of its excellent diplomatic ties with Argentina, but in some aspects it is not entirely satisfied when commitments do not turn into concrete actions. US assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing Patrick O'Brien did not hesitate in bringing a list of pending issues we have to accomplish with Washington. "... O'Brien emphasized that Argentina ratified international treaties against terrorism (which reveals a real commitment),but that a lot of work is still ahead in order to honor those treaties. "During a press conference at the US Embassy, he highlighted that some other sensitive and important measures are still pending, such as criminalizing terrorist financing and also updating anti-money laundering legislation." To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires The Media Reaction Report reflects articles and opinions by the cited news media and do not necessarily reflect U.S. Embassy policy or views. The Public Affairs Section does not independently verify information. The report is intended for internal U.S. Government use only. GUTIERREZ