Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTIAGO302
2006-02-09 21:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:  

MARCH 11 BACHELET INAUGURATION: LIMITED SPACE FOR

Tags:  OVIP PREL PGOV CI INAUGURATION 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTIAGO 000302 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP PREL PGOV CI INAUGURATION
SUBJECT: MARCH 11 BACHELET INAUGURATION: LIMITED SPACE FOR
DELEGATIONS

REF: A. YAMAUCHI-SHERIDAN 2/9/06 E-MAIL

B. SANTIAGO 179

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTIAGO 000302

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP PREL PGOV CI INAUGURATION
SUBJECT: MARCH 11 BACHELET INAUGURATION: LIMITED SPACE FOR
DELEGATIONS

REF: A. YAMAUCHI-SHERIDAN 2/9/06 E-MAIL

B. SANTIAGO 179


1. (SBU) Summary: The Foreign Ministry advised resident
diplomatic missions in writing on February 9 that the number
of spaces available for foreign delegations at Michelle
Bachelet's presidential inauguration on March 11 will be very
limited. For the inauguration ceremony itself, only heads of
delegation plus one will be able to attend, in cases where
the head of delegation is not a head of state or government.
These limits are the same as President Lagos' inauguration
ceremony in 2000, when only then-Attorney General Reno and
the U.S. ambassador to Chile attended the ceremony. We are
approaching the GOC to request additional numbers. Paragraph
four contains Post's current information on the composition
of other delegations. End summary.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
--------------


2. (SBU) The Foreign Ministry delivered to resident
diplomatic missions in Santiago on February 9 a diplomatic
note containing a schedule of events for Michelle Bachelet's
presidential inauguration on March 11. The note includes
details on the number of delegation members who will be able
to attend the inaugural events, as well as administrative and
logistical details. Post understands that WHA/BSC received
an advance copy of the note from the Chilean Embassy in
Washington on February 6. Post will transmit an informal
translation of the note septel. Below is a summary schedule:

March 10
--------------

1845-2045: Protocol calls on President Lagos by visiting
heads of delegation. Invitees: heads of delegations plus two
(in cases where the head of delegation is not the head of
state or government).

2100: Dinner hosted by President Lagos at La Moneda
presidential palace (Santiago). Invitees: heads of
state/government and spouses only.

2100: Reception hosted by FM Walker at the Foreign Ministry
(Santiago). Invitees: heads of delegations plus five (in
cases where the head of delegation is not the head of state
or government).

March 11
--------------

1200: Inauguration ceremony at the National Congress
(Valparaiso -- one-hour drive from Santiago). Invitees:
heads of delegation plus one (in cases where the head of
delegation is not a head of state or government).

1400: Lunch hosted by President Bachelet at the Cerro
Castillo Presidential Palace (Vina del Mar -- 30-minute drive
from Valparaiso). Invitees: heads of state or government and
spouses only.

1530: Return to Santiago.

2200: Artistic presentation (Santiago). Invitees: heads of
delegation plus five.

March 12
--------------

1200: Ecumenical oration at the Metropolitan Cathedral
(Santiago). Invitees: head of delegation plus one (in cases
where the head of delegation is not a head of state or
government).

1330: Reception hosted by President Bachelet at the
Presidential Palace (Santiago). Invitees: heads of
delegation plus five.


3. (U) The Foreign Ministry's note stresses there will not be
a special allocation for ambassadors. Ambassadors must be
included in the numbers provided above.

OTHER DELEGATIONS
--------------


4. (SBU) Below is Post's latest information on attendance by
foreign delegations for certain countries, as provided by
resident diplomats:

--Argentina: President Kirchner.

--Bolivia: President Morales.

--Brazil: President Lula Da Silva and Foreign Minister Amorin.
--China: A vice minister.

--France: The GOF is close to naming Minister of Defense
Alliot-Marie head of delegation.

--Germany: Chancellor Merkel almost certainly will not
attend. Germany will send two ministers, but not its foreign
minister.

--Guatemala: President Berger.

--India: Prime Minister Singh will not attend. India's
Minister of State is scheduled to visit Chile at the end of
March. Resident ambassador may head the delegation.

--Mexico: Undecided. However, President Fox is not expected
to attend.

--New Zealand: Prime Minister Clark is tentatively scheduled
to lead the delegation.

--South Korea: Undecided.

--Spain: Crown Prince of Asturias will lead the delegation.
One or two members of government, Socialist Party members,
and prominent Spaniards will accompany.

--Russia: Tentatively planning on sending the president of
Parliament.

--United Kingdom: Lord Bach (head of delegation) and resident
ambassador (Note: According to the UK Embassy, Bach was a
senior defense ministry official when Bachelet served as
Lagos' defense minister.)

--Venezuela: President Chavez and spouse.
KELLY