MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002126 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 KN CI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM ¶1. Summary: In line with the Chilean government position, editorial comments have been highly critical of North Korea's nuclear testing. End Summary. ¶2. On October 11, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 101,000) ran an editorial entitled, "North Korea and its Nuclear Diplomacy" that states: "Monday's nuclear test is just another landmark of an unchanged strategy: Using the threat of a nuclear conflict to attain political and economic concessions in a constant push and shove with the international community.... In a threat of this magnitude, neither passiveness nor an aggressive policy toward North Korea is the indicated path.... There is no doubt that the region must make North Korea realize, with an open but strong dialogue, that it is not in its interest to be isolated and hostile with its neighbors or have a relationship built on intimidation and fear." ¶3. On October 9, private television "Chilevision" international analyst Raul Sohr concluded: "It is not exactly known what the success of this test was.... The political impact is the same whether the bomb failed or succeeded because North Korea challenged the world.... North Korea is a threat for the whole world. A country that has suffered dramatic hunger problems and has a regime that has such disrespect for its own people do not have respect for others." KELLY