Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTIAGO107
2006-01-18 19:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION - CHILE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Tags:  KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI 
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DE RUEHSG #0107 0181944
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R 181944Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8246
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000107

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - CHILE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

On January 18, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El
Mercurio" (circ. 116,807) carried a column by international pundit
Karin Ebensperger entitled, "Opposition and Democracy in the World."
Quote:

"The election in Chile made international news because it was the
first time a woman in South America reached the presidency and the
level of democracy achieved by Chileans is recognized as a regional
example. Nevertheless, Chile can still improve a key aspect: the
role the system assigns to the opposition... The most notable
example is Great Britain...in which the State grants a salary to the
opposition leader: they pay him for his opposition. Another country
with great political stability...is the United States. Its system
aims to prevent that those who lose an election be crushed while a
central government becomes omnipotent.... Since its return to
democracy, Chile has had a reasonable and even collaborative
opposition but a more inclusive system would be beneficial so that
in the future those who do not come to power may systematically
contribute to development."

KELLY