Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANTIAGO70
2007-01-12 19:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION - VENEZUELA: CHAVEZ'S REGIONAL AND
how-toVZCZCXYZ0015 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSG #0070 0121913 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121913Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0707 INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1236 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JAN MANAGUA 0119
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000070
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 BL NU CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - VENEZUELA: CHAVEZ'S REGIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000070
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 BL NU CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - VENEZUELA: CHAVEZ'S REGIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE
1. On January 12, Chile's conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record "El Mercurio" (circ. 129,000) carried an
editorial entitled "Irreconcilable Positions." Quote:
"The Governments of Venezuela and Bolivia have adopted similar
political projects inspired in the Cuban model. But while Caracas
is getting closer to gaining full control of the institutions by
dominating the Judiciary, Parliament, and the Electoral National
Council, and presses against basic freedoms...the regime in La Paz
is finding a reality of greater institutionalism that makes Evo
Morales' plans of political dominance difficult.... Bolivia seems
to be heading towards a clear division in which positions are
irreconcilable..."
2. On January 11, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ.
33,000) carried an editorial entitled "Ortega: Between Chavez and
Morales." Quote:
"The image of Daniel Ortega celebrating his assumption of power in
Nicaragua, standing besides the Presidents of Venezuela and Bolivia,
symbolizes the moment of success that Hugo Chavez' regional policy
is experiencing after its failures in Mexico and Peru.... Some of
(Ortega's) initial measures include his enthusiastic adherence to
Chavez' Bolivarian alliance ALBA, designed as an alternative to the
Washington promoted FTAA.... This is part of Chavez' fight against
the United States and neoliberal economics.... The enormous
availability of resources provided by Venezuela's oil wealth allows
him to maintain for some time the financing of populist policies
within and outside borders.... On the political front, the danger
posed by his influence is that it could deteriorate the weakest
Latin American democracies.
"Chavez demonstrated that freedom of expression is incompatible with
the Twenty First Century Socialism, as was clearly shown by his
violent reaction to OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza's
warning.... Although the Venezuelan President later described his
own words as imprudent, he maintains his opinion. Thus one could
suppose that he is heading towards a collision with the OAS and
Inter-American Democratic Charter...."
KELLY
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 BL NU CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - VENEZUELA: CHAVEZ'S REGIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE
1. On January 12, Chile's conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record "El Mercurio" (circ. 129,000) carried an
editorial entitled "Irreconcilable Positions." Quote:
"The Governments of Venezuela and Bolivia have adopted similar
political projects inspired in the Cuban model. But while Caracas
is getting closer to gaining full control of the institutions by
dominating the Judiciary, Parliament, and the Electoral National
Council, and presses against basic freedoms...the regime in La Paz
is finding a reality of greater institutionalism that makes Evo
Morales' plans of political dominance difficult.... Bolivia seems
to be heading towards a clear division in which positions are
irreconcilable..."
2. On January 11, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ.
33,000) carried an editorial entitled "Ortega: Between Chavez and
Morales." Quote:
"The image of Daniel Ortega celebrating his assumption of power in
Nicaragua, standing besides the Presidents of Venezuela and Bolivia,
symbolizes the moment of success that Hugo Chavez' regional policy
is experiencing after its failures in Mexico and Peru.... Some of
(Ortega's) initial measures include his enthusiastic adherence to
Chavez' Bolivarian alliance ALBA, designed as an alternative to the
Washington promoted FTAA.... This is part of Chavez' fight against
the United States and neoliberal economics.... The enormous
availability of resources provided by Venezuela's oil wealth allows
him to maintain for some time the financing of populist policies
within and outside borders.... On the political front, the danger
posed by his influence is that it could deteriorate the weakest
Latin American democracies.
"Chavez demonstrated that freedom of expression is incompatible with
the Twenty First Century Socialism, as was clearly shown by his
violent reaction to OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza's
warning.... Although the Venezuelan President later described his
own words as imprudent, he maintains his opinion. Thus one could
suppose that he is heading towards a collision with the OAS and
Inter-American Democratic Charter...."
KELLY