MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-CHILE RELATIONS

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001501 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 PTER CI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-CHILE RELATIONS On September 12, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El Mercurio" (circ. 129,000) carried a positive op-ed by Chilean Ambassador to the United States, Mariano Fernandez entitled "Assessment of Chile/U.S. Relations." Quotes: "To define the state of our political ties with the United States... we could say this is a high period, without any gloomy issues.... In June 2006, both Presidents met for the first time. That meeting has been followed by an array of visits of authorities in both directions.... Of these, we must note the meetings between Foreign Affairs Minister Alejandro Foxley and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have given bilateral relations an important push forward and an active dialogue on global and regional affairs. This reflects an interesting U.S. perception of our foreign policy, because it is not common to have such frequent meetings.... Naturally, both countries concur on many important issues, but also have some differences on others. This, however, does not interfere with the communication or active cooperation between both countries. Such is the case regarding specific differences (IPR and the Iternational Criminal Court) on which we are making efforts... to resolve. We are also making important efforts to strengthen and diversify... the matrix of our relations, by promoting cooperation on environmental... education... and cultural issues.... In coming months... we foresee promising results for political, economic, and commercial relations and for progress in regional cooperation. The government of Chile has advocated actively recommending that the U.S. Congress approve the free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and Peru." YAMAUCHI