Santiago Nov. 20 Media Report

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001120 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. 20 Media Report Lead Story ¶1. The Chilean Ministry began reviewing the dossier delivered by Peru on the alleged espionage case and said it would answer to Lima's verbal note of protest next week. Peru is assessing whether to recall its ambassador, which is a step prior to suspending diplomatic relations (Conservative, independent La Tercera, 11/20). U.S.-Related News ¶2. The "Becas Chile" scholarship program will suspend the Equal Opportunity Scholarship program. These scholarships are given by the Fulbright Commission, but administered as of this year by "Becas Chile." The Equal Opportunity program was especially designed for individuals who excel academically, but that come from low-income backgrounds. The reason for the cancellation would be that Fulbright's selection process does not adjust to Chilean regulations. In Chile it is mandatory for these programs to include all areas of knowledge and not to consider an interview. Fulbright's principal selection mechanism is an interview, and the Equal Opportunity program does not include medicine and judicial sciences. The U.S. Embassy is responsible for the scholarship program and is concerned. On Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador Paul Simons met with Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez to discuss the matter. In a statement to this daily, the diplomatic mission said, "Embassy officials are in permanent contact with government of Chile authorities and with all the organizations involved to discuss the Equal Opportunity Scholarships to improve the program and make it compatible." The Fulbright Commission was forced to open a second bidding process this year due to the low number of applications. Last year there were 450 applicants, but this year there were only ¶27. Fulbright Executive Director Denise Saint Jean believes that the double bidding system on Becas Chile and Fulbright webpages caused confusion that hurt the process. Neither Becas Chile nor the Foreign Ministry commented (Conservative, independent La Tercera, 11/20). ¶3. The High School Student Federation in Punta Arenas is thrilled, because the Mayor approved the bill to import 10 U.S. school buses. The buses, donated from New York, will transport 600 preschool and elementary low-income students from rural areas to the city to give them access to education (Regional daily La Prensa Austral, 11/10). ¶4. The crowd at the metro station Manuel Montt was shaken out of its daily weariness and apathy when 17 members of The Great Voices of Gospel delivered a 20 minute performance. The choir will perform tomorrow at Teatro Nescafe (Government-owned La Nacion, 11/10). Honduras ¶5. Editorial entitled, "The importance of the Presidential Election in Honduras": "Given the obvious stubbornness of the two main political actors in Honduras, the best solution to the crisis seems to have international observers guarantee that the electoral process was clean. The OAS should legitimize the election, but the regional organization has already said it would not send observers... removing itself from a process in which it should be playing an important role ..... Nor the OAS... or regional powers such as Mexico and Brazil have exerted the kind of leadership required and one that they don't hesitate in demanding (from others). Only the United States has achieved some progress in this difficult process with an active participation for the parties to dialogue. The solution could lie in the presidential election, because the election does not ... legitimize the ousting of the constitutional president. It simply means moving forward to begin a new political cycle" (La Tercera 11/20). SIMONS