MEDIA REPORT - HAITIAN ELECTIONS

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000066 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM, INL STATE FOR INR/R/MR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI HA SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT - HAITIAN ELECTIONS ¶1. All Santiago dailies and TV stations reported on the GOC's concern over the instability in Haiti and the alleged "hate" campaign against MINUSTAH Chief Juan Gabriel Valdes. Stories noted Chilean President Ricardo Lagos' support for the Chilean officials on the U.N. peacekeeping mission. In spite of the inherent risks, President Lagos ruled out withdrawing Chilean troops from Haiti. Summaries of press articles: ¶2. Conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El Mercurio" (circ. 116,807): President Ricardo Lagos stressed that Chile would not withdraw its peacekeepers, saying, "Haiti is going through difficult hours which are not contrary to our international commitment as a country. Two Chileans are carrying out the highest responsibilities in a process that is...complex and, as president, I would say 'that can no longer be postponed.'" Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker admitted the atmosphere in Haiti is complicated and noted that MINUSTAH chief Juan Gabriel Valdes is the target of a radio "hate" campaign. Senators Roberto Munoz and Sergio Fernandez announced they would request information from the GOC to assess "renewing the authorization for Chilean troops, which expires in June." ¶3. Conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 102,000): "Strong International Pressure on Haitian Government Over Elections" Chilean President Ricardo Lagos noted the Haitian elections "cannot be postponed." On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Chilean Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker; his Brazilian, Canadian, and French counterparts; and OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza agreed to immediately notify the Haitian government about the need to hold elections on February 7. Unidentified Chilean sources said the foreign ministers' analysis is that Haitian "right-wing" groups are promoting a campaign against Valdes to impede former President Rene Perval's likely victory. ¶4. Government-owned, editorially independent "La Nacion" (circ. 3,800): "Anti-Election Plot Could Affect Chilean Official" Haiti's social crisis is watched with concern in Santiago. President Ricardo Lagos reported that "during these days we have closely monitored the events and we know about the difficulties and tension" and voiced support for Chilean officers in Haiti. Lagos said Undersecretary of War Gabriel Gaspar would travel to Haiti to report directly about the situation there. ¶5. Center-left, on-line "El Mostrador": Chilean Ambassador to the U.N. Heraldo Munoz: "The February 7 Haitian Electoral Process Will Be 'Imperfect.'" Ambassador Munoz voiced confidence the elections would take place on February 7 and explained that the series of postponements were due "to logistical problems in a country that has no electoral tradition." ¶6. Conservative, afternoon La Segunda (circ. 31,834): "Foreign Minister Denounces 'Hate Campaign' in Haiti Against Ambassador Valdes and U.N." Last night, Minister Ignacio Walker spoke over the phone with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, MINUSTAH chief Juan Gabriel Valdes, and foreign ministers of the four countries involved in the peacekeeping process. In those talks, they confirmed the Haitian government would officially announce today that the elections would take place on February 7, the run-off on March 19, and the inauguration on April 29." KELLY