UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001159

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PD, INR/IAA, PM, INL
STATE FOR INR/R/MR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - U.S. AND LATIN AMERICA


On May 25, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El
Mercurio" (circ. 116,807) carried a column by international
commentator Karin Ebensperger entitled, "The United States, Far From
South America."

"In an unprecedented event, retired U.S. generals have raised their
voices criticizing Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's management of the war
(in Iraq).... That fact alone shows the erosion the U.S. has
suffered in Iraq and explains, in part, why it has put South America
aside. This does not mean Washington should have a paternalistic or
military presence again in the region.... But the U.S is not
seizing many opportunities in the region to help free trade benefit
the poor.... But in Washington's defense we can say that it is not
easy to build a policy in a region as divided as South America,
where populism, tension among countries, and insults among its
presidents abound."

KELLY