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.





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GUTIERREZ