MEDIA REACTION: IRAN, NUCLEAR PROGRAM

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000104 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PD, INR/IAA, PM, INL STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI IR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAN, NUCLEAR PROGRAM ¶1. On January 18, Megavision's morning news program featured a commentary by international pundit Libardo Buitrago on Iran's President Ahmadinejad to Latin America. He said, "He is a very controversial President of a Muslim, religious, Shiite nation.... He has a particular relationship with Hugo Chavez. They are friends, and Chavez introduced him to other friends in Latin America.... Iran wants to be a nuclear power. He has been accused of supporting international terrorism and guerrilla groups.... The goal of Iran's President is to eliminate Israel from the globe.... They have given arms to Hezbollah.... We need to be careful with this visit." KELLY