MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAM

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001460 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, EAP/K E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI KN SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAM On July 6, conservative, afternoon daily "La Segunda" (circ 31,834): carried an editorial entitled, "Threat to World Peace." Quote: "It is a fact that irresponsible and unpredictable governments such North Korea's...are a threat to peace, and although it is likely that China would block a punitive U.N. action, the problem must be discussed in the international framework. For Latin America it is a concern that while countries such as Chile have condemned Korea's missile tests, the only government that has endorsed them is Venezuela's, which has also proposed creating a joint Mercosur armed force.... In addition to his difficult relations with the region, Chavez has now added an arms race, the support of a dictatorial regime and an odd military project. This is important information to take into account when considering Venezuela's candidacy to the UNSC." KELLY