MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ STUDY GROUP REPORT

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002536 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM STATE FOR INL, INR/R/MR, NEA/IR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI IR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ STUDY GROUP REPORT ¶1. On December 7, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 101,000) ran an editorial entitled, "Change of Strategy in the War in Iraq." Quotes: ¶2. "The results of the Baker-Hamilton Commission were released.... The tone of the document...concurs with that of the new Secretary of Defense, who said the United States is losing the war. ¶3. "A dispassionate analysis of the situation in Iraq shows that violence...is preventing the state from functioning, has virtually paralyzed the country, and is undermining reconstruction efforts. The bipartisan panel...acknowledges this..., reaffirms the view that an immediate and unilateral withdrawal would leave a vacuum that could worsen violence, admits that the U.S. by itself cannot put an end to that violence..., and is emphatic that foreign elements such as Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups are not responsible for this violence.... It is positive that the White House itself commissioned the report, because it shows a willingness not to insist on an unsuccessful strategy.... The White House said it would study the Commission's proposal, but noted that there is a similar Pentagon report that must be considered. No one is suggesting hasty actions, but the prognosis is widely known and sufficiently strong to launch a change in strategy. The Baker-Hamilton proposals are not easy to implement, but do show the need for a strong change in direction on how the United States addresses the conflict in Iraq." YAMAUCHI