MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT BUSH'S TRAVEL TO LATIN AMERICA

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000441 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, WHA/EPSC STATE FOR INR/IAA, PM, INL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT BUSH'S TRAVEL TO LATIN AMERICA ¶1. Summary: Wrap-up coverage of the President's trip to Latin America had an underlying negative tone in Chile. Words such as "no evident success," "cosmetic impact," "no significant assistance," are mentioned. However, the bio-fuel agreement signed with Brazil is identified as a success. End summary. ¶2. On March 15, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El Mercurio" (circ. 129,000) carried an article entitled "Bush Concludes Tour to Latin America with no Evident Success." Quote: "President Bush tried to show that the United States is concerned with the region's problems. But the late, brief, and limited impact of his trip did not change the perception that Washington is far from the continent.... Among Bush's accomplishment are that he prevented a battle with Hugo Chavez' counter-tour and concluded an agreement on bio-fuels with Brazil. But he did not offer significant assistance, eliminate tariffs on ethanol, or improve the immigration agenda with Guatemala and Mexico." ¶3. On March 15, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El Mercurio" (circ. 129,000) carried an article entitled "Bush Concludes Tour Without Winning Over the Region." Quote: "In spite of the social assistance (programs),the agreement on ethanol, and the promise of an immigration reform, Bush's trip only had a cosmetic impact on the difficult relations (between the United States and the region). Bush's tour had some diplomatic successes, but did not improve the superpower's image or counter the view that the White House failed to treat the region as it deserves to be treated." ¶4. On March 15, government-owned, editorially independent "La Nacion" (circ, 4,200) carried an article entitled "Bush's 2007 Tour to Latin America: Too Much Noise and Few Results?" Quote: "The overall view is that the visit was just to explore a forgotten terrain, and analysts concur that the most prominent element of this trip was the demand by some regional leaders for a real change in U.S. immigration policy." ¶5. On March 15, government-owned, editorially independent, "La Nacion" circ, 4,200) columnist Marcel Garces wrote: "The proposals that Bush allegedly brought with him are ineffective and an insult given the magnitude and nature of the problems and misery in the region." ¶6. On March 15, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 101,000, 3/15) columnist Angel Soto, professor at the University of Los Andes, wrote: "The belief that U.S. assistance will help us solve our problems is a historical mistake. This trip should be seen as placing more of the responsibility of promoting change on the Latin Americans themselves. Scholarship programs to study in U.S. colleges, training programs for teachers, free trade, and support for stable institutions are far more long-lasting than money we receive and which sometimes gets trapped in bureaucracy. KELLY