Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANTIAGO72
2007-01-12 19:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
how-toVZCZCXYZ0021 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSG #0072 0121940 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121940Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0708
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
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