MEDIA REACTION - BOLIVIA MORALES INAUGURATION

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000123

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

AMEMBASSY FOR PAO/IO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO CI BL
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - BOLIVIA MORALES INAUGURATION



1. On January 19, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ.
102,000) carried an editorial entitled, "Presidential Trip to
Bolivian Inauguration." Quote:

"The presence of the (Chilean) president in La Paz...signals the
goodwill Chilean diplomacy has shown to Bolivia in recent years."


2. On January 19, center-left "Diario Siete" (circ. 23,000) carried
an editorial entitled, "Lagos' Trip to La Paz." Quote:

"Two neighboring countries that do not have diplomatic relations,
that have been deeply involved in a mute dialogue for decades and
subject to misunderstandings and suspicions, need to take advantage
of all the channels that could open the gates to a dialogue."


3. On January 19, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ.
102,000) carried a column by Bolivian journalist and analyst of
Imaginaccion Consultants Sergio Molina: "Squaring the Circle."
Quote:

"Maybe leadership beyond confrontational male logic might be what
both countries need. Only time will tell.... Who can deny the
attraction caused by two outsiders--a woman in male world and an
indigenous in a white world--that may be called upon to square the
circle?"

KELLY