PEACE, MUSIC AND THE OAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000388 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER, WHA/PD PSAMPSON SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2028 TAGS: PGOV PREL CO VE SUBJECT: PEACE, MUSIC AND THE OAS Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY ACTING DCM ROBERT DOWNES FOR REASONS 1.4(d) ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: The issue of peace in South AMERICA is on the media's mind. Coverage of Sunday's "Peace Without Frontiers" concert in Colombia was wide spread, being broadcast live on television and with front page articles and photo spreads in Monday's newspapers. The weekend also saw articles about Monday's Organization of American States (OAS) meeting, with editorials speculating as to what might be the outcome. (END SUMMARY). ¶2. (SBU) On Sunday, March 16 Colombian singer (and concert organizer) Juanes and several other well known Latin American and Spanish artists gave a free concert on the border region between Colombia and Venezuela. The concert, billed as "Peace Without Frontiers" came in response to Chavez' decision to deploy 10 battalions to the Colombian border after Colombia conducted a military raid on March 1 against FARC members inside Ecuador's border. ¶3. (C) Although the countries' leaders seemed to come to an agreement at the March 7th Rio Summit, the concert went ahead as scheduled, and media estimate more than 50,000 people attended, despite temperatures above 90F degrees. During the show the performers and many audience members wore white t-shirts to highlight the message of peace. (Note: Alejandro Sanz performed at the concert. In November 2007 and February 2008, Venezuelan officials canceled his scheduled Venezuelan concerts because he had spoken publicly against Chavez' policies.) ¶4. (U) In addition to the concert, the weekend media focused on the scheduled Monday OAS meeting convened to discuss the Colombian military action. DUDDY DUDDY