MEDIA REACTION: AMBASSADOR SIMONS' PRESENTATION OF

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000020 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 KIPR ECON CI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: AMBASSADOR SIMONS' PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS AND FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE ¶1. Summary: Ambassador Simons highlighted the solid U.S.-Chile relationship during a press conference at the Embassy following his presentation of credentials to President Bachelet at La Moneda Palace on January 8. Chilean media on January 9 highlighted the Ambassador's remarks in headlines such as: "Chile Continues to be a Star in Latin America," "New Ambassador Praises Solid Chilean Institutions," "Intellectual Property on the Radar Screen of New U.S. Ambassador," "Relations with Chile are Among the Best in the Hemisphere," and "Simons Offers Energy Cooperation." The press coverage was notable given competing news stories about the six GOC cabinet changes. End Summary. ¶2. Chile's media (TV, radio, print, and on-line news services) reported extensively on Ambassador Paul Simons' presentation of credentials at La Moneda Palace on January 8 and his subsequent press conference: ¶3. The conservative, influential newspaper-of-record (circ. 129,000) "El Mercurio" cited the Ambassador in its front page "Quote-of-the-Day": "Chile continues to be one of the 'stars' in Latin America," Paul Simons -- the new U.S. Ambassador to Chile -- said yesterday while highlighting the country's attractiveness to foreign investment." ¶4. In a full-length article, "El Mercurio" headlined: "U.S. Ambassador Outlines Work Plan" Drug trafficking, financial crimes and energy are among his priorities." ¶5. "In perfect Spanish and sure of himself he faced his first meeting with the media. He outlined his upcoming work in Chile. There are some issues of continuity such as cooperating in the fight against drug trafficking and financial crimes. He will also address pending FTA issues, specifically one as thorny as intellectual property.... ¶6. On the POLITICAL front, Paul Simons subtly supported La Moneda when he said: "Chile continues to be the most attractive country in the region to foreign investment in Latin America." And he reiterated that "Chile continues to be one of the 'stars' in Latin America, and fortunately now we have the free trade agreement platform." He previously was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy, Sanctions, and Commodities. He voiced his interest in learning about Chile's goals on the energy issue and underlined that both Chile and the United States share similar criteria on this matter. ¶7. The article from "Emol" (El Mercurio's online news service) headlined: "U.S. Ambassador: Chile Continues to Be One of the Stars in Latin America." ¶8. Conservative, independent (circ. 101,000) "La Tercera" reported: "President (Bachelet) Receives Visit of New U.S. Ambassador." "The new U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons presented President Bachelet his credentials during a meeting that was also attended by Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley. Later, when asked at a press conference about possible U.S.-Chile energy cooperation, Simons said that both countries share challenges and that "there are a series of concepts that we use in the United States.... We can explore if there are areas in which we could share our experiences with Chile." ¶9. "La Tercera online" news service story read: "New U.S. Ambassador Highlights Strength of Chilean Institutions." ¶10. "La Nacion" government-owned, editorially independent (circ. 4,200) used the headline: "New U.S. Ambassador Presented His Credentials to President Michelle Bachelet: Simons Offers Energy Cooperation to Chile." The diplomat not only characterized the country as one of the 'stars' in Latin America for attracting foreign investment, but also showed himself willing to share with the private sector and the Chilean government the U.S. experience on energy matters. ¶11. "Estrategia" business and financial daily (circ. 30,000) focused on IPR: "Intellectual Property on the New U.S. Ambassador's Radar Screen." "The diplomat said that besides developing more trade ties, IPR would be a focus during his tenure. I do believe that there are many sectors whose innovation requires high levels of protection.... It is very important that our two countries share the vision of being knowledge-based nations." ¶12. Business and financial (circ. 30,000) "Diario Financiero" headlined: "U.S. Ambassador Highlights Chile's Good Reputation." After presenting President Michelle Bachelet his credentials, the U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons held his first meeting with the press in which he noted that Chile is a country with great reputation in the United States. "Chile continues to be one of the most attractive countries for investment," he said. ¶13. "The Santiago Times," English online news service, titled its article: "Bachelet Welcomes New U.S. Ambassador to Chile." "After the reception with the President, Simons held his first meeting with the press where he emphasized the good RELATIONS between the two countries. The U.S. Ambassador also touched on education, saying he hoped to bring new educational technology to Chile and said that the embassy "is focusing on the priority of teaching English here in Chile." ¶14. "El Mostrador" online daily featured: "Chile 'Continues to be a Star', Said New U.S. Ambassador." Paul Simons also highlighted the good bilateral RELATIONS between both countries. ¶15. "Terra.cl" online daily read: "New U.S. Ambassador: 'Chile Continues to Be One of the Stars in Latin America." The diplomat, who today presented his credentials to President Michelle Bachelet, did not spare compliments to Chile and underlined the good bilateral relations. ¶16. "Cooperativa.cl", Radio Cooperativa's website reported: "New U.S. Ambassador Said that RELATIONS With Chile Are 'Close and Solid.'" SIMONS