MEDIA REACTION - UNITED NATIONS AND CHILEAN VOTE

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001196

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI VE
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - UNITED NATIONS AND CHILEAN VOTE



1. On May 30, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 102,000)
carried an editorial entitled, "Chile and its Vote in the (U.N.)
Security Council." Quote:

"The decision is complex for the (Chilean) Executive for two
reasons; first, because preventing Venezuela from becoming a Council
member has become an important White House political goal in Latin
America; and second, because Venezuela...holds key strategic
elements for Chile, especially with respect to its energy supply....
Choosing either front over the other...could entail significant
external and internal costs for Chile. Caracas' gas and oil
reserves mean it has much to say about any type of South American
energy plan...but it is also true that Chavez...could hardly
represent the region in the UNSC. But synchronicity between La
Moneda and the White House is also a fact, which--except for the
impasse over the 2003 invasion of Iraq--has been reflected in
Chile's international stances on security and politics and in the
promotion of a successful FTA.... Chile must not lose this
political and economic capital, which on another level relates to
the legitimacy of its political and economic models."


2. On May 28, "La Tercera" column by conservative Libertad y
Desarrollo think tank's Cristian Larroulet entitled, "Bachelet vs.
Chavez." Quote:

"Populism has returned to Latin America and its star is Hugo
Chavez...who financed Argentina's debt in 2005...and handed Cuba
100,000 barrels a day of practically free oil.... Chavez'
projection is dangerous not just for those countries directly
involved but for the rest of Latin America and Chile... (Chile's)
main task is to continue as an example...of austerity and not fall
to populism. This will allow President Bachelet to contribute to
development in Chile and in Latin America, accentuating the
differences with Chavez' populism."


3. On May 30 "La Tercera" column by journalist Jose Rodriguez
Elizondo entitled, "Bush Against Bachelet." Quote:

"After his defeat in Chile on the 'approve-my-war-against-Iraq'
theme George W. Bush strikes again. Now...he is planning to demand
solidarity from Michelle Bachelet to thwart Hugo Chavez' efforts to
join the UN Security Council.... But things are not the same.
Then, Bush was at the peak of his power...while today his approval
rating is at its minimum, he has two years left in office, Iraq has
become a Vietnam, he has consolidated the world's dislike and the
Chavez 'issue' is less dramatic than a misguided war.... From a
Chilean point of view, former President Ricardo Lagos' decision on
Iraq marked his most glorious international moment... Furthermore,
Washington is not at the point of jumping from reiterated praise (of
Chile) to spiteful repudiation due to a third party far from the
bilateral relationship. In addition, while European leaders would
not slit their wrists for Chavez, they would not welcome Chile as a
(U.S.) lackey, either.... Our President could promote consensus
among her counterparts in the region, beginning with Brazil and
Argentina and then Mexico and Colombia. .... This way Bush could
not react angrily against Chile and much less against other nations
in the region that are demographically and geopolitically more
powerful."

KELLY