Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANTIAGO461
2007-03-21 16:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT BUSH'S TRIP TO LATIN AMERICA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSG #0461 0801600 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 211600Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1188
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000461
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 TRIP TO LATIN AMERICA
On March 21, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ. 33,000)
carried a column by Sergio Muoz entitled, "Lame Duck but with
Wings." Quote:
"President Bush's recent tour to Latin America shows a change in
U.S. policy to the region. The United States abandoned the hope for
hemispheric agreements and gave priority to deepening alliances with
those countries that value U.S. cooperation, putting aside those
that don't want it or don't appreciate it.
"Bush's visit to Brazil... showed that Inacio Lula da Silva is the
central interlocutor in the Southern Cone. The agreement to
increase ethanol production confronts Chavez' oil supply and opens
possible benefits in terms of employment and economic development
for countries in the region.... Bush's visit also strengthened
Tabar Vazquez... because Uruguayans want to place their products in
the U.S. market and end with the perpetual deficit under Mercosur.
"Then there was the support for Alvaro Uribe in Colombia, and the
reaffirmation that rather than being worried over recent scandals,
the United States is pleased that the process to dismantle the
paramilitary network has led to the arrest of politicians suspected
of having ties to these organizations.... Critics of Bush's tour
should put aside absurd generalizations and stop questioning the
capability of the U.S. Presidential Office. Now it is Bush's turn
to show that even as a lame duck, he still has wings."
KELLY