URUGUAY: CONTROVERSIAL MUJICA INTERVIEWS PROMPT

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000560

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/BSC MARY DASCHBACH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV UY
SUBJECT: URUGUAY: CONTROVERSIAL MUJICA INTERVIEWS PROMPT
OPPOSITION TO QUESTION HIS FITNESS TO GOVERN


1. (U) This telegram is sensitive but unclassified, and not
for Internet distribution.

Summary
--------------


2. (SBU) A number of controversial statements by Frente
Amplio (FA) coalition presidential candidate Jose Mujica have
led to a press firestorm and criticism of the candidate both
from the opposition and Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez.
In a September 13 interview with a prominent Argentine
newspaper, Mujica made a number of comments concerning his
experience as a Tupamaro guerrilla in the 1970s that left him
open to charges of being skeptical of democracy and the
justice system. Quickly thereafter, a book on Mujica was
released which quoted him as making diparaging remarks about
a wide array of public figures, including the Kirchners, the
Socialist Party, the military, and even the Vazquez
government. The book's publication promoted President
Vazquez to distance himself (temporarily) from his party's
candidate and gave the National Party ample ammunition to
question Mujica's fitnes for the presidency. However, it
remains to be seen whether the controversy will affect
Mujica's lead in the polls as the elections near. End
Summary.

The La Nacion Interview: Provocative Remarks About the Past,
Moderate Message for the Future
--------------


3. (U) On September 13, the Argentine newspaper La Nacion
published Ricardo Carpena's lengthy interview of FA
presidential candidate Jose Mujica, which had been conducted
on Mujica's ranch a week before. The interview dealt with a
variety of topics, including Mujica's past as a Tupamaro
guerrilla, his time in prison, and his current political
philosophy. Mujica's most notable and widely quoted comments
from the interview centered around his experience as a
Tupamaro guerrilla during the 1970s, as the candidate claimed
that "the violence (by the Tupamaros) in Uruguay really was
justified" and that "justice has the stench of vengeance that
comes from its origins."


4. (U) Following the publication of the interview, Mujica's
opponents in October's presidential election immediately
responded, with National Party vice-presidential candidate
Jorge Larranaga telling the press that Mujica's comments
unequivocally demonstrated his anti-democratic views. In a
separate interview, opposition presidential candidate Luis
Alberto Lacalle added, "From assassins, torturers, and
thieves, nothing surprises me."


5. (U) Mujica insists these comments say little about his
contemporary political views. He claimed his comment about
violence being justified was a defense of the methods and
objectives of the Tupamaros relative to those of the
dictatorship, which he regretted being unable to prevent.
Mujica also claimed that his other controversial statement -
that "justice has the stench of vengeance" - actually came in
the context of his preference to know the truth about what
happened in the past rather than to achieve justice (or, in
his eyes, revenge) against those who committed the crimes of
the dictatorship. Leading daily El Pais ran an editorial
condemning Mujica's continued assertion that the Tupamaros
were fighting against tyranny (the military dictatorship came
into being after the Tupamaros had already been crushed).


6. (U) In general, Mujica described himself in the interview
as having a fairly moderate political philosophy, along the
lines of that espoused by Brazilian President Lula da Silva,
with an emphasis on negotiation and conciliation. When
Carpena asked Mujica if he sees himself as more like Lula
than like Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Mujica replied,
"I think so. The policy of negotiation produces more results.
It is more accommodating." Furthermore, he criticized
Chavez's governing style, opining that Chavez "talks too
much" and is creating a huge bureaucracy. At the same time,
though, he expressed admiration for the wisdom of Fidel
Castro.

"Pepe Coloquios": What Was He Thinking?
--------------


7. (U) The publication of the La Nacion interview was
followed only a few days later by the release of a book
entitled "Pepe Coloquios" ("Pepe Speaks Frankly"),a
compilation of 18 interviews of Mujica by Uruguayan
journalist Alfredo Garcia. The book includes even more
controversial statements by the candidate. Mujica dubbed
Argentina as "having hysterical, crazy, paranoid reactions",

and its first family, the Kirchners, whom he labeled as
"Peronist losers." Among other colorful remarks, Mujica also
added his belief that land "belongs to the nation and should
be rented out by the State". He described both the Vazquez
government and the Socialist party as machines to create
government jobs, and characterized the Montevideo
municipality as a failure. Mujica also criticized the
Central Bank, the University of the Republic, civil society,
the private sector, agricultural interests, and the military
in language which is not repeatable in polite company.


8. (SBU) Just as with the La Nacion interview, the reaction
to the release of "Pepe Coloquios" was swift. Larranaga
asked an audience in Buenos Aires for forgiveness on behalf
of the Uruguayan people, adding that Mujica's remarks
revealed a subconscious desire not to be elected president.
Surprisingly, President Vazquez also joined in the
condemnations, telling a group in the United States that
Mujica says stupid things with which Vazquez himself does not
agree. Mujica has since apologized for his remarks, and both
he and Garcia have asserted that the quotations were taken
out of context. After initial consternation, the Frente
Amplio rallied around Mujica, and continued to blame the
opposition for "negative campaigning".


9. (SBU) The incidents demonstrate a phenomenon witnessed
throughout the campaign: Mujica's tendency to speak his mind,
with little thought to the implications. For many voters,
Mujica's frankness adds to his appeal, but for others it
confirms his unsuitability to lead the country. Astori is
widely seen as a moderating force in this regard, with Mujica
even proposing that any debate between himself and Lacalle
include their respective running mates. However, Astori can
only do so much to ensure that his running mate stays on
message.

Comment
--------------


10. (SBU) The race remains close, with the most recent
polling giving Mujica a 44-32 percent edge over Lacalle in
October's elections and a five point advantage in a
second-round November runoff, which most experts view as very
likely to occur. This poll was taken prior to the La Nacion
interview, but given that most Mujica voters support their
candidate largely because of his honesty, it is doubtful that
those already squarely in the Mujica camp will be deterred by
his comments. However, it remains to be seen whether the key
seven percent of still undecided voters will prize Mujica's
frankness and likability or if they will turn towards the
more predictable Lacalle. End Comment.

Matthewman