MEDIA REACTION; VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE; ECUADOR 04/24/07;

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000798

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, I/GWHA, WHA, WHA/PDA, WHA/BSC,
WHA/EPSC
CDR USSOCOM FOR J-2 IAD/LAMA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL MEDIA REACTION
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION; VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE; ECUADOR 04/24/07;
BUENOS AIRES


1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Leading international editorials cover the Virginia Tech University
massacre and the flare-up of the debate over arms control; and
chances of an institutional change in Ecuador.


2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS


- "Massacre and arms control"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" (04/24) editorializes "Just a few days
after the tragedy at Virginia Tech University..., the debate over
arms control is again the focus of social debate. More than 30,000
people die every year in the US due to gun violence.

"... The question is whether it is advisable or not to set
restrictions on citizens' right to purchase and carry weapons. In
the US, everyone has the constitutional right to self defense and
this is why arms sales is one of the most profitable businesses in
the country since the beginning of the 20th century.

"... Those who favor more arms control point out that the
availability of weapons facilitates the commission of crimes
anywhere, including schools and universities. The debate is
periodically re-opened, particularly when riots occur at teaching
centers...

"... Serious events like the massacre at Virginia Tech University
should leave lessons for the future, even in our country. This is
why we hope that this horrible massacre will contribute to
establishing more rigorous control on the right of citizens to carry
weapons."

- "Ecuador vis-`-vis institutional change"

Leading "Clarin" editorializes (04/24) "Ecuadorian President Rafael
Correa seems willing to use the broad support he obtained to
introduce substantial changes in institutions. His landslide victory
in the referendum to call a constitutional convention marks the
existence of a new inherent coalition, which includes vast social
sectors led by the president.

"In this way, Correa could break the chronic lack of governance that
has prevented his predecessors from ending their terms in office.
But, more than this, his proposal for substantial reform is also
aimed at changing the rules governing the relationship between
social sectors and economic players to allow for more state
intervention in a dollarized economy with a 40-percent-poverty rate
and high inequality.

"In this way, Ecuador could start to overcome its typical
instability and political polarization.

"... The challenge ahead for the Ecuadorian democracy is to build a
new political system that will overcome the failings of the previous
ones without falling into hegemonic attitudes that could impair
minority rights."

To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires

WAYNE