MEDIA REACTION - MIDEAST - PA ELECTIONS, HAMAS VICTORY

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000408

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - MIDEAST - PA ELECTIONS, HAMAS VICTORY


1. On February 27, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ.
31,834) ran an editorial entitled "Half-Way Democracies." Quotes:


2. "The political change in Palestine with Hamas' victory led Israel
to declare the NPA a hostile entity.... In Iraq the attacks between
Shiites and Sunnites...are threatening to turn into a civil war,
while the Kurds call for autonomy, and religious leaders call for
unity, but continue attacking the Americans.... There is also the
case of Afghanistan, democratized by force, where the feudal lords
continue to exert their influence.


3. "All of this has occurred in places that have held elections
promoted by the West and would therefore show that democratic
mechanisms are ineffective if they do not go hand in hand with the
acceptance of those values that uphold it. Only an extensive and
solid civic training and true acceptance of the beliefs and values
of a civic culture can provide assurance that the right to vote will
not be used...to grant democratic status and prestige to governments
that are not democratic. This does not mean that the international
community must give up promoting universal judicial principles and
respect for basic rights. It means that the task must be undertaken
with realism and efficiency, tailored to specific circumstances and
with no false illusions based on superficial appearances."

KELLY