Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTIAGO370
2006-02-22 15:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION - VENEZUELA

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO CI VE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0037
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #0370 0531525
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221525Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8502
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0862
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000370

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 VE
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - VENEZUELA

On February 21, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ. 31,834)
carried an editorial entitled "President Chavez' Conflicts." Quote:

"We can see why President Lagos chose to move away from the recent
verbal clash between Hugo Chavez and U.S. Secretary Condoleezza
Rice, denying his participation in a 'common front' and stating that
he has kept an open dialogue with other governments in the
region.... But this caution does not eliminate the real threat that
Chavez represents for the region and which it will have to confront
sooner or later.

There are ongoing events that confirm Chavez' inclination to
interfere in the affairs of others. For example, he has now been
accused of offering Peruvians in Venezuela dual nationality on the
condition that they vote for Humala in Peru and then for him.... The
Bolivian leader's announcement that he wants to remain in office
until 2031 is nothing to kid about either.... This means there will
be an inevitable collision, sooner or later, not just with U.S.
political strategy, but with the region's democratic commitment."

KELLY