MEDIA REACTION - CHILE PRESIDENT BACHELET IN THE US, JUNE

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001304 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM, INL STATE FOR INR/R/MR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - CHILE PRESIDENT BACHELET IN THE US, JUNE 8-13 ¶1. Summary: President Michelle Bachelet's visit to Washington was front-page fodder for all Chilean media on June 9 and continued providing editorial material throughout the weekend. Dailies underscored Bachelet's comment that U.S. President George Bush had exerted no pressure on Chile to block Venezuela's candidacy for a vacant seat on the United Nations Security Council. Only conservative, independent "La Tercera" reported otherwise. Dailies highlighted President Bush's remarks that RELATIONS with Chile "are very good" and that he hoped to maintain them in that condition and that the presidents had discussed the need for greater U.S.-Latin America integration. President Bush's praise of Bachelet's dedication to promoting "social justice" also caught the eye of the Chilean press. Subsequent coverage noted the presidents had discussed Venezuela, but not its accession to the UNSC. Only "La Tercera" and "El Mercurio " ran editorial commentary. End summary. ¶2. Conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El Mercurio" (circ. 116,807): "Bush and Bachelet Speak 'Under no Pressure'" With both the local and foreign press focused on White House pressure on Chile not to support Venezuela in the U.N. Security Council, Michelle Bachelet emphatically denied feeling any such pressure in her meeting with U.S. President George Bush. "There was no pressure of any kind on any issue," she said. ¶3. Conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 102,000): "Bush Expresses Concern to Bachelet over Venezuela's Influence in the Region" As expected, Hugo Chavez' name hovered over the Bush-Bachelet bilateral meeting. Bush expressed his concern over Venezuela's influence in the region and Bachelet said Chile wants to maintain the best possible RELATIONS with its neighbors, but is also willing to serve as a model of economic development in the region, which is exactly one of the things the U.S. has demanded from Chile. After the meeting Bachelet said, "There has been no pressure of any kind. We have not discussed the specific topic of the Security Council." "La Tercera": "White House Transcript of the Bush-Bachelet Meeting: 'We have Good RELATIONS with Chile and Hope to Maintain Them,' said Bush." ¶4. Business and financial daily Diario Financiero (circ. 20,000): "Bush Says it's Important for the U.S. to Work with its Allies." President Bush's remarks clearly show it is important for the U.S. to have Chile as an ally. Although President Bachelet denied any pressure from President Bush about Chile's vote in the UNSC, her statements after the bilateral show the topic came up in their 45-minute meeting. ¶5. Business and financial daily "Estrategia" (circ. 20,000): "Bachelet Denies Pressure from Bush over Venezuela" Subhead line: Bachelet said that in the bilateral meeting both had discussed the need to improve integration between the United States and Latin America. ¶6. On June 8, conservative, afternoon daily "La Segunda" (circ. 31,834): "Bush after the Meeting: 'We have Good RELATIONS with Chile and I Hope to Maintain Them'" ¶7. Government-owned, editorially independent "La Nacion" (circ., 3,800): "Bachelet Dismisses Pressure from Bush" The Chilean and U.S. presidents discussed the Latin America situation and the challenges to democratic stability. Bachelet assured, "There has been no pressure of any kind on any issue," in reference to the White House's desire to block Venezuela's accession to the UNSC. ¶8. Conservative, independent "La Tercera" ( circ. 102,000) editorial entitled, "Presidential Visit to the United States" states in part: "President Bachelet's trip to the U.S. is significant because it takes place as La Moneda faces some complex foreign policy decisions and as anti-American social and POLITICAL forces are beginning to coalesce in a large part of Latin America.... This shows that Chile-- regardless of the difficult foreign policy decisions ahead (Venezuela holds the key on energy issues and supported a Chilean for OAS secretary general)--understands the importance of fluid high-level channels of communication at the White House...and has chosen an agenda that prioritizes strengthening the areas in which both countries already agree, such as cooperating for regional peace and stability and promoting free trade. "The White House...is a fundamental ally of Chile on the continent and in the world. In addition to being the major destination for Chilean exports it signed a free trade agreement, which has been a political sign in itself since its implementation, endorsing Chile's political, economic and institutional development in its recovery of democracy." ¶9. El Mercurio (conservative, influential newspaper-of-record, circ. 116,807, 6/10): "Bachelet Tells Bush Chile will Ratify the ICC" On Thursday Bachelet informed President Bush of Chile's intention to ratify the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court (ICC), said delegation sources, adding that there were no major comments from President Bush or Secretary Rice. There had already been indications the U.S. administration would not take a very strong position. In fact, before the trip, U.S. diplomacy noted there was no pressure on Chile. Washington's view is that if Chile chooses to favor Venezuela, it would not only put itself in a difficult position but would also hurt the debut of its ambassador to the United States. ¶10. La Tercera (conservative, independent, circ. 102,000, 6/11): "The Bachelet-Bush Face-to-Face Private Dialogues" The meeting between Presidents Bush and Bachelet was preceded by a warning delivered a few weeks ago to Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley for Chile to vote against Venezuela in the UNSC. The Chilean delegation was confident President Bush would not insist on this specific issue, but also knew he would let the chance pass to express the U.S. interest that Chile abandon its neutral policy in the region. And that is exactly what happened. President Bush said Chile should use its POLITICAL capital and "mark the path" in the region.... His remarks fall in the framework of Washington's main goal: that its friends and allies help contain Venezuela. Bachelet was the first to mention the name "Chavez," reiterating that her administration is willing to serve as a model, but that it must also be careful not to hurt RELATIONS with its neighbors. But this does not mean the U.S. abandoned its demand for a vote against Chavez in the UNSC. A high-ranking Foreign Ministry source admitted for the first time that this is the reason the GOC is looking for a consensus candidate. The idea is to avoid the appearance that Chile is the alternative's promoter so Caracas does not become irritated. ¶11. La Tercera (6/11) article by Alvaro Vargas Llosa entitled, "The Ghost Hovering at the White House Meeting" Department of State and Security Council sources said the USG closely followed Chilean press articles on the alleged pressure to block Venezuela's accession to the United Nations Security Council and watched for the "rebound" of these stories in other countries. The conclusion was that some "damage control" was needed so Chile would not feel trapped, which would undermine Washington's goal to contain Venezuela. The result of this damage control was that Presidents Bush and Bachelet discussed Venezuela but did not directly address the vote in the UNSC. ¶12. La Nacion (government-owned, editorially independent, circ., 3,800, 6/11): "Chile Lays Down a Marker" In her meeting with President Bush, Bachelet subtly set her cards on the table. Bachelet explained her position on several perennially complex and sensitive bilateral issues, such as the ratification of the International Criminal Court, Venezuela's accession to the UNSC, the expansion of leftist and populist governments in Latin America, and regional integration. Unofficial sources said Bachelet informed Bush on Thursday that Chile would ratify the ICC "with no conditions"... Chile's public realization of this would be a diplomatic defeat for the White House, but would confirm Bachelet's commitment to human rights and peace and would be seen as signal of her autonomy from Washington.... What became evident in Washington, however, is that Chile would take its time deciding whether to support Venezuela in the UNSC. Realizing this, Bush chose not to directly address the issue in the meeting, enabling Bachelet to show discreet satisfaction over the absence of U.S. pressure and tell the press the UNSC was not discussed. This is no minor matter, as one of Washington's strategic goals is preventing Chavez from winning a seat on the UNSC. Bachelet's decision to be autonomous and not commit her vote is not something that Bush endorses. ¶13. El Mercurio (conservative, influential newspaper-of-record, circ. 116,807, 6/11) editorial "Relations with the United States" "The meeting with President Bush in the White House showcased a correct and friendly understanding.... The discussion between both presidents transcended the bilateral arena into the complex and changing Latin American scenario without any signs of disagreement. Some expected Venezuela's candidacy to the UNSC to be part of the agenda, but the issue was not addressed.... Chile must face the issue with independence, flexibility and moderation...and continue to capitalize on its good RELATIONS with the U.S. to strengthen trade, open new cooperative avenues and look for foreign policy convergence based on shared interests. The U.S. is the world's major power, a country with which we share the values of democracy and POLITICAL and economic freedom, and our most important commercial partner; a country that is competitive in science and technology--while we are not. President Bachelet's visit strengthens the chance to move forward on these matters." KELLY