MAY 21: DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE CUBAN PEOPLE -

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000470 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CCA, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL CU CI SUBJECT: MAY 21: DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE CUBAN PEOPLE - ACTIVITIES IN CHILE REFTEL: A) STATE 51536 B) SANTIAGO 456 C) SANTIAGO 412 ¶1. (U) In response to reftel A request, Embassy Santiago conducted the following activities to promote Cuba Solidarity Day: -- Post recorded a radio interview on 5/20 with international affairs commentator Libardo Buitrago and Cuban dissident Julio Cesar Montes. The Embassy-produced "Dimension Internacional" radio program is being disseminated to more than 100 radio stations throughout Chile and can be heard on the Embassy web site on May ¶23. -- Disseminated a Cuba Solidarity Day information packet and webliography (including op-ed from Cuban dissident Jorge Olivera) to Chilean university international affairs departments, think tanks, political parties, journalists and editors, and congressional contacts. -- Posted the President's 5/21 Cuba Solidarity Day remarks on Embassy web site. Embassy had previously posted lead-up information about Solidarity Day on web site. -- Sent the 5/21 President's remarks to 300 media contacts. -- Posted A/S Shannon's FPC discussion on Cuba on Embassy web site. -- On a separate Embassy-produced radio news program, "Panorama," excerpts of President Bush's remarks about Cuba will air May 24-25 on radio stations throughout Chile. (PA used feed from Spanish-language, VOA program). -- Embassy officials raised Cuba and Solidarity Day with Chilean officials at the Foreign Ministry. ¶2. (U) Santiago's leading daily, "El Mercurio," gave front-page coverage on May 22 to President Bush's remarks and initiative to permit the sending of cellular phones to Cuba. URBAN