MEDIA REACTION - BOLIVIA MORALES INAUGURATION

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000164

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 24, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ.
102,000) carried an article by Alvaro Vargas Llosa entitled, "Evo
Morales Opens his Options with Conciliatory Gestures Toward Chile
and the United States." Quote:


2. "Evo Morales' first moves display a political balancing act to
avoid falling for now on either side of the fence. Although
gestures toward Castro and Chavez continue, Morales has approached
Chile and even the United States.... Three gestures are noteworthy:
the meetings with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos and with (U.S.
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs) Thomas
Shannon, and his public thanks to Lula (da Silva) for his
guidance.... The rapprochement with the United States began on
January 2, when Morales met with U.S. Ambassador in La Paz David
Greenlee.... This time, he invited Shannon to this home...and had
conciliatory remarks for the U.S. in his inaugural speech."

KELLY