MEDIA REACTION - HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000664 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA STATE FOR INR/IAA, L/WHA, DRL, S/P E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PHUM CI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - HUMAN RIGHTS On March 30, government-owned, editorially independent "La Nacion" (circ. 3,800) carried a column by journalist Marcel Garces entitled, "Human Rights and Real Politics in the Global Scenario." Quote: "The day after the solemn creation of the Human Rights Council, the United States launched its 'Operation Swarm' in Iraq.... The argument is that U.S. intervention is aimed at preventing a civilian conflict...but the truth is that the attack is due to nothing more than the population's resistance to the occupation. The punishing operation corresponds to the tactical scheme of systematic terrorism against the civilian population characteristic of the Preventive War Doctrine. It is significant that the operation occurs when President George Bush's popularity is at its lowest point.... To it should be added those abducted in Guantanamo...and 'enemy combatants' kept secretly in camps in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Cuba, the SIPDIS U.S., Morocco, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. It seems the White House is oblivious to the world's rejection of this conduct and attempts to place limits through organizations such as the Human Rights Council." KELLY