FORMER LAGOS MINISTERS LAUNCH FOUNDATION TO

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000887 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/AND, WHA/OAS, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI CI VZ SUBJECT: FORMER LAGOS MINISTERS LAUNCH FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE CHILE'S BRAND OF GOVERNANCE IN THE REGION ¶1. This is an action request. See para 7. ¶2. Summary: Several ex-ministers and supporters of former President Lagos have launched a foundation to promote Chile's successes throughout the region. "Project America" Director Jose Viera-Gallo told Embassy officers that one of the foundation's objectives is to showcase the differences between Chile's center-left form of governance and Chavez' "neo-populism." The foundation invited Venezuelan opposition figure Theodoro Petkoff to speak at its official opening on June 17, but Petkoff had to cancel due to campaign commitments. During the first week of June, Viera-Gallo will be in Washington, where he hopes to brief USG officials, academics and others on "Project America." End summary. Lagos' Think Tank -------------- ¶3. Several ministers, center-left senators and other senior government officials who served under President Lagos have formed a foundation called "Project America." During interviews with local media and conversations with Embassy officers, "Project America" Director and former Socialist Party Senator Jose Antonio Viera-Gallo touted the foundation as the first Chilean institution whose primary objective was to promote Chile's center-left form of governance throughout the Western Hemisphere. The foundation, which is scheduled to formally open in mid-June, counts among its founders several prominent Chileans who served in the Lagos administration: former Interior Minister and current OAS SecGen Jose Miguel Insulza; former Finance Minister Nicolas Eyzaguirre; former Education Minister Sergio Bitar; former Spokesman Osvaldo Puccio; and current UNSYG Special Representative in Haiti, Juan Gabriel Valdes. ¶4. During an April 26 meeting with Embassy officers, Viera-Gallo outlined the foundation's three main objectives: (1) Promote Chile as a model for other center-left governments in the region through increased ties and dialogue. (2) Analyze Chile's long-term political, social and economic growth. (3) Strengthen and improve Chile's economic, social and political institutional bases. Viera-Gallo acknowledged that Chilean governments were reluctant to promote Chile as a "model," largely out of fear of alienating Chile's neighbors and others in the region. At the same time, a number of regional leaders look to Chile as a successful, center-left democracy and wish to increase their knowledge of its successes. Viera-Gallo expressed confidence that "Project America" would fill this void, predicting that its message would be well-received in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and possibly Uruguay. At the same time, he acknowledged that certain "center-right countries" in Central America, and "neo-populist governments in the region like Venezuela," would be less enthusiastic. Viera-Gallo said "Project America" would also look to promote "more mature and less ideological" relations between Latin America and the U.S. "People in the region need to view relations with the U.S. as normal, rather than through ideological prisms." Support for the Venezuelan Opposition -------------- ¶5. Viera-Gallo confirmed local press reports that "Project America" had invited Venezuelan opposition figure Theodoro Petkoff to attend thQfoundation's opening ceremony on June ¶17. ("We wanted to invite Petkoff because we believe it is important to distinguish between the left of (Chile's) Concertacion and the left that Chavez says he represents," Viera-Gallo was quoted as telling the leading Chilean daily "La Tercera.") Unfortunately, Petkoff had telephoned earlier that day to decline the invitation due to "campaign-related work." Viera-Gallo said that "Project America" would invite other prominent individuals of similar stature. (Note: An article in the leading Chilean daily "La Tercera" reports that former Argentine Minister of the Economy Roberto Lavagna has been invited.) Visit to the U.S. -------------- ¶6. Viera-Gallo noted he would be in Washington during the first week of June. He asked if the Embassy could recommend individuals inside and outside of government who might be interested in "Project America." Viera-Gallo said he had been in touch with "his good friend" (OAS SecGen) Jose Miguel Insulza, who had offered to provide some names. Viera-Gallo openly said he was also interested in meeting with U.S.-based foundations and individuals who might wish to support the foundation financially. ¶7. Action request: Post intends to provide Viera-Gallo a list of suggested individuals and organizations in Washington who might be interested in "Project America." Viera-Gallo has not requested our assistance in arranging meetings. If he does, we intend to respond positively and ask the Department to consider favorably any requests for meetings it deems appropriate. KELLY