Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTIAGO66
2006-01-12 10:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:  

MEDIA REPORT - HAITIAN ELECTIONS

Tags:  KMDR KPAO OPRC CI HA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0010
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #0066 0121017
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121017Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8206
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 0131
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


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