MEDIA REACTION - CHAVEZ AND THE IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001826 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL VE CI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - CHAVEZ AND THE IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT ¶1. Summary: The verbal flap between King Juan Carlos of Spain and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dominated news about the Ibero-American Summit in Santiago. Foreign Minister Foxley's public statements after the Summit reflected the GOC's discontent with Chavez, emphasizing the need for tolerance and respect for others. Both President Bachelet and Foxley lamented the outburst and dismissed Chavez's offer to subsidize low-priced oil to help Santiago's new, troubled public transportation system. Taking a dig at Chavez, the Foreign Minister noted that Chile maintains a strategic alliance with Spain and values its example in social and commercial areas. Editorials criticized Chavez's grandstanding and influence. End Summary. ¶2. "El Mercurio," conservative, influential newspaper-of-record (circ. 129,000, November 11-12) reported that Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley stood by Spain in this incident, underscoring that Chile has more in common with Spain than with Venezuela. "We signed a strategic cooperation alliance in multiple areas with Spain...and a free trade agreement, which is a higher level of alliance," said Foxley, adding that Spain is a strategic ally. Foxley referred the personal verbal attacks as "regrettable." "The King of Spain is a very important figure of Spanish democracy and I want to express a very deep solidarity with the King, with President Rodriguez Zapatero, and with former President Aznar.... We will stand by them," said Foxley. ¶3. On November 13, "El Mecurio" reported: The incident between Chavez and the King of Spain has brought to the forefront again questions about Bachelet's leadership skills and her ability to deal with difficult situations. The general view is that things got out of hand and that Bachelet should have put a stop to Chavez, and the King, who was a guest. Meanwhile, Former Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jose Vicente Rangel labeled the incident as one "between a respected leader (Zapatero) and one who truly defends Latin Americans (Chavez)," over Jose Mara Aznar, "a sinister individual and Bush lieutenant in the Iraqi genocide." Senators and Congressmen from all political parties, except from the Socialist and Radical parties, plan to propose resolutions against Venezuela. One will ask the Executive Branch to reject Chavez' "intervention and insults," another will request President Bachelet not to travel to Venezuela or Cuba. Government-spokesman Ricardo Lagos Weber said, "In Chile we understand diversity as a situation in which there is deep respect...for the way in which things are done." ¶4. On November 11, "El Mercurio" reported: President Bachelet expressed her dislike over the verbal confrontation between the King of Spain and Hugo Chavez. Although she did not mention either one by name, she called for respect. "Chiefs of state and government must respect diversity, differences, and express themselves with respect. That is how we do things here...with respect and not by insulting others, because that does not set the foundations for consensus." ¶5. Conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 101,000, November 10-11) and "El Mercurio" reported: Hugo Chavez upon arriving in Santiago criticized the summit's slogan -- "social integration" that President Bachelet proposed -- stating that "social transformation" would be a more appropriate term. Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley remarked that Chile has undergone "a deep social transformation," and proof of that is that the country has cut poverty from 45% to 13%. "I would invite any head of state, including Chavez, to study in detail the successful social transformation that Chile has carried forth in democracy," said Foxley. The Foreign Minister highlighted that these accomplishments were done "In democracy with full freedom of the press, with a strong and respected opposition." Chavez also called Bolivia's claim for access to the sea as "just" and "legitimate." ¶6. On November 11, "La Tercera" reported: Chavez offered to sell Chile oil 40% cheaper to help finance Chile's transportation system. President Bachelet dismissed the assistance, saying that it was not feasible because the transportation system is in private hands. But she also sent Chavez a message. "I hope that this matter is resolved in the budget discussion in the Chilean Congress, because it is a domestic issue" said Bachelet. Foxley also rejected Chavez's offer. "We don't want subsidies and are not used to being told what to do from abroad," he said, and invited oil producing countries, such as Venezuela, to lower the price of oil rather than offer subsidies. "That would be true solidarity," said Foxley. Editorials: Critical of Chavez, Silence of Latin Left -------------- -------------- ¶7. On November 12, "La Tercera" carried a column by international commentator Patricio Navia entitled, "Why Don't You Speak Up?" Quote: "The timely intervention of Spanish head of state Rodriguez Zapatero reflects the deep ideological differences on the left and the lack of leadership among the leaders of the moderate left, including the Chilean President. It also shows that despite of everything, Chavez still sets the agenda.... The Socialist President (Zapatero) demanded respect... while the other presidents of the moderate left chose not to get involved. This untimely silence says a lot about Chavez's influence. It shows that leftist presidents in Latin America are afraid of upholding their view if this means crossing Chavez's path, which allows Chavez to monopolize the left in the continent.... Regardless of what Bachelet wants, Chavez stole the limelight once again and his histrionic ways underscored the great vacuum of leadership within the continent's leftists." ¶8. On November 12, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ. 33,000) ran an editorial entitled, "The Chavez Factor at the Ibero-American Summit." Quote: "Although the applause and opinions in the halls show an overall criticism of the Venezuelan leader, we missed - with the exception of Alan Garca -- an official complaint from the other delegations. It seems some are already far too committed with Chavez' donations and that others are unwilling to run the risk of becoming a target of his rage. But Chavez did not receive explicit support either, aside from that of President Ortega and Vice President Lage." ¶9. On November 13, "El Mercurio" carried an editorial entitled "After the Summit." Quote: "Latin America has today two very important assets to accelerate its path toward development. With the exception of Cuba, it has democracy, high economic growth rates... and political and economic freedom, which are creating unprecedented changes and opportunities for people. This should lead to greater integration...and cannot be undermined by the nationalist and populist policies that Chavez and his allies want to impose on countries with equal or more democratic worth, or by altering the search for consensus in inter American organizations." ¶10. On November 13, "La Tercera" carried a column by Bolivian analyst Sergio Molina. Quote: "At this point no one knows the results of the official Summit.... Chavez, on the other hand, prefers his own agenda, a good scandal and some inflammatory remarks.... The incident had a high cost in Chile, but other millions of Latin Americans watch television and will choose what represents them best. Understanding that is the secret of Chavez's success." SIPDIS URBAN