MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000072 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM STATE FOR INL, INR/R/MR, NEA/IR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI IR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ On January 12, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 101,000) ran an editorial entitled "A New Stage in Iraq." Quote: "The U.S. President's announcement does not represent a radical change in the strategy towards Iraq but rather a necessary shift in the way of facing the problem.... In addition, the plan insists on the need to remain in Iraq and strengthen the military presence. A decision has been taken in spite of the rejection it generates among Americans...and which aims to correct the path, because a unilateral withdrawal would create a void in that country that could have unpredictable consequences in all the region." On January 12, government-owned, editorially independent "La Nacion" (circ. 4,200) ran an opinion column by international analyst Raul Sohr entitled "Contradictory Counterinsurgency." "The military hate counterinsurgency operations.... The worst nightmare for a regular army is to have to maneuver in a very populated city seeking an invisible enemy. And that is what U.S. troops are facing in Baghdad.... Bush has to show results in order to reverse a war that he is not only losing on the battlefield but in the public opinion.... Ignoring the political aspect of a confrontation while focusing on military problems...is the mistake that the United States has made until now. Nothing indicates that there are real conditions for a new long-term strategy." KELLY