MARCH 11 BACHELET INAUGURATION: UPDATE ON FOREIGN

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000338 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OVIP PREL PGOV CI INAUGURATION SUBJECT: MARCH 11 BACHELET INAUGURATION: UPDATE ON FOREIGN DELEGATIONS REF: SANTIAGO 302 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) Below is Post's latest information on attendance by foreign delegations for certain countries at President-elect Michelle Bachelet's March 11 inaguration ceremony, as provided by resident diplomats: --Argentina: President Kirchner. --Bolivia: President Morales. --Brazil: President Lula Da Silva and Foreign Minister Amorin. --Canada: Governor General Michaelle Jean. --China: A minister. --Colombia: President Uribe and Foreign Minister Barco. --Ecuador: President Palacio and Foreign Minister Carrion Mena. Minister of Defense Harrin may also attend. --France: Minister of Defense Alliot-Marie. --Germany: The German ambassador told the Ambassador last week that Chancellor Merkel almost certainly would not attend. However, the Germany Embassy told us today that President-elect Bachelet will telephone Merkel on February 20 to ask her to reconsider. If Chancellor Merkel does not attend, Germany's Minister of Economic Cooperation likely will head the German delegation. --Guatemala: President Berger, Foreign Minister Briz and Minister of Defense (GEN) Bermudez. --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. President Fox will not attend. However, it is likely that Foreign Minister Derbez or another minister will attend. --New Zealand: Prime Minister Clark is tentatively scheduled to lead the delegation. --Paraguay: President Duarte and Foreign Minister Rachid. --Peru: President Toledo. --South Korea: Undecided. --Spain: The Spanish Embassy reported last week that the Spanish delegation would be comprised of the Crown Prince of Asturias, one or two members of government, Socialist Party members, and prominent Spaniards. We are conferring with our Spanish colleagues here about Chilean press reports that Prince Felipe de Borbon, President Zapatero and Foreign Minister Moratinos will attend. --Russia: Tentatively planning on sending a vice president of the Duma or a minister. --United Kingdom: Lord Bach (head of delegation) and resident ambassador. --Uruguay: President Tabare, Foreign Minister Gargano, Deputy FM Herrera and Minister of Defense Berreti. --Venezuela: President Chavez. KELLY