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