Santiago Nov. 18 Media Report

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001108 SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL SNAR EFIN CI SUBJECT: Santiago Nov. 18 Media Report Lead Story ¶1. President Bachelet said that Alan Garcia's remarks over the alleged espionage case are "offensive and bombastic and do not contribute at all to the integration and cooperation that should exist among neighbor countries" (El Mercurio, 11/18). Chile-Peru ¶2. In answer to a question about Chile and Peru, Department of State spokesperson Ian Kelly said, "We are aware that there is tension between the two countries. We call on them to resolve this bilaterally." He then stressed that "neither have asked" for (U.S.) mediation, adding that Washington does not believe this is necessary. "This is an issue that both must resolve" (El Mercurio, 11/18). ¶3. Defense Minister Francisco Vidal said that Chile would publish the third "White Book of Defense" in a month. This is a document that outlines Chile's military acquisition goals and policy. "It is the most thorough, objective, and measurable proof that Chile is not in an arms race," said Vidal (El Mercurio, 11/18). ¶4. Peru announced via its Foreign Minister that it would request that Interpol review the information held against the Peruvian officer arrested for allegedly spying for Chile. The decision mirrors what Colombia did in 2008, when it handed Interpol the computers seized from FARC leader Raul Reyes. Chile's Executive Office believes that the two cases are not comparable (Conservative, independent, La Tercera, 11/18). ¶5. President Bachelet's tone was harsher yesterday and differs from that used by Foreign Minister Fernandez a few days ago when he asked Peru for "serenity." The opposition privately complained to Fernandez over his conciliatory tone (La Tercera, 11/18). ¶6. Columnist Alvaro Vargas Llosa says that the leak of the information of the espionage case when President Garcia's was at APEC "was a torpedo against civilians (in Peru) and shows that the (Peruvian) Ministry of Defense has no control over its military." Vargas Llosa adds that Garcia's statements "are a concession to Peruvian nationalist sectors in that they strengthen the anti-Chilean and anti-modernization trend pursued by those who leaked the information to the media. Those such as Ollanta Humala benefit from Garcia's words" (La Tercera, 11/18). U.S.-Related News ¶7. U.S. Ambassador Paul Simons visited the Arica-Parinacota Region where he met with regional Intendente Luis Rocafull and the Foreign Ministry's representative to the region Alvaro Zuniga. The ambassador also spoke at Universidad de Tarapaca on "U.S.-Chile Bilateral Relations: The Future of Energy and the Environment" (Intendencia webpage, 11/18). ¶8. Ambassador Simons is carrying out a series of activities in the Arica-Parinacota Region, where he visited the North American College to talk about energy and environmental initiatives (Regional daily La Estrella de Arica, 11/17). ¶9. Atlanta Chamber of Commerce International Director Jorge Gonzalez, Georgia Office representative Brian Wilson, and the president of the Chilean Chamber of Commerce in Georgia, Alberto Valenzuela, were among those who attended the seminar organized by the State of Georgia entitled, "Georgia and Latin America: A World of Opportunities for Chilean Businesses in the United States" (Conservative, afternoon La Segunda, 11/16). Human Rights ¶10. Human Rights Watch director for the Americas Jose Miguel Vivanco said the region has problems in the exercise of freedom of expression. He noted that these problems do not only occur in countries such as Venezuela, but also in others such as Colombia, where President Uribe reacts "aggressively" to criticism from the media. Vivanco said that another pending issue in Chile and the region is the negative impact of the concentration of media ownership. "There are unacceptable cases such as Mexico, where two television stations control 97% of the market," said Vivanco (El Mercurio, 11/18). Other ¶11. Anarchist organizations are holding a summit in Santiago that continues until the 23rd. The locations of the events change daily to avoid the press and the police. Yesterday's conference took place in the "Casa de la Cultura Johnny Cariqueo" in the community of Pudahuel. There the participants called to manifest support for the two anarchists who were imprisoned for participated in the attack a few months ago on a Homicide Brigade headquarters. On Friday there will be a meeting to manifest "solidarity with Mapuche political prisoners" (Government-owned La Nacion, 11/18). SIMONS