MEDIA REACTION - VENEZUELA

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