CHILE MEDIA REPORT - FEBRUARY 18

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000142

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA

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TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON PREL SNAR EFIN CI
SUBJECT: CHILE MEDIA REPORT - FEBRUARY 18

Leading Stories
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1. Stock markets worldwide fall due to doubts in the effectiveness
of the bailout plan for the automobile industry in the United
States. Finance Minister Andres Velasco's two-year old daughter
accidentally fell into a swimming pool yesterday, and is on an
induced comma to prevent further neurological damage.

U.S.-Related News
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2. Chilean Ambassador to the United States Mariano Fernandez said
that although Latin America is not a priority for the United States,
because "the two main issues that show the success or failure of a
U.S. President are not south of the Rio Grande," he believes
President Obama will give Latin America more attention. Fernandez
said that a difference must be made between regional and bilateral
relations, in the sense that while countries such as Chile, Brazil,
or Uruguay have very good relations with the United States, others
in the region do not. Fernandez said that the "fundamental points
of his policy toward the region" will become more evident at the
Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago." He added that
Secretary Clinton's appointment will be good for Chile (Cosas
Magazine, 2/18).


3. The ties between President Obama and his Brazilian counterpart
Inacio Lula da Silva could become the center of the new U.S.
administration's policy toward Latin America. Observers say that
Obama has clearly given priority to his relation with Brazil in the
form of gestures and at the expense of Argentina or other countries
who thought they had a better chance of establishing more visible
ties with Obama. State Department sources tied to the previous
administration said that Washington was not too thrilled with
Cristina Fernandez' February 5 remarks that Obama was applying
policies Argentina implemented in 2003, which mirrored policies
implemented by former Argentine President Peron. The United States
sees Brazil as an emerging power with a greater role in the region
and one that could be a first-rate negotiator, hence its importance
(La Tercera, conservative, independent, circ. 101,000, 2/18).


4. Wal-Mart invited D and S labor union leader Juan Moreno to meet
with his counterparts in other countries where the U.S. retailer is
operating to learn about the impact of the merger. Doug McMillan,
Wal-Mart's second highest ranking CEO, arrived in Santiago this week
to meet with the board of D and S. The American company bought 58%
of the local retailer (La Segunda, conservative, afternoon, circ.
33,000, 2/17).


5. 13-year old Chilean Trinidad Soza is among the ten students
chosen to read on television the letter she sent via e-mail to
President Obama. In her letter, Trinidad expresses concerns about
overweight children, and asks the president if children could
receive more education on nutrition, and suggests providing
healthier menus in public schools. "Overweight is not just about
appearance. It's also about self-confidence, self-esteem, and
health," stated the letter (El Mercurio, conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record, 2/18).


6. Editorial entitled, "War in Afghanistan and the Challenges for
the United States"
"The United States and its allies are facing a difficult military
scenario in Afghanistan... (and) in this context Washington wants to
send an additional 30,000 soldiers... but it's not clear what would
be gained with this.... The new U.S. President... must not make the
mistakes of the past or deepen those that are being committed today,
such as the lack of control of the international aid being handed to
the government of Kabul or the scarce attention given to the role
Pakistan has in this conflict. This is a challenge from which the
superpower (the U.S.) cannot be absent" (La Tercera, 2/28).

Bolivia
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7. On Monday, Bolivian President Evo Morales thanked Fidel Castro
for endorsing La Paz's claim for a passage to the sea (through
Chilean territory). Morales also said he would like to see the
international community play a more active role on this issue.
Yesterday Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto Van Klaveren
"reminded" the Bolivian President that its maritime claim is "a
strictly bilateral issue" between Chile and Bolivia (El Mercurio,
2/18).

Trade
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8. Chilean exporters will inaugurate in June 2009, a 300-square
meter facility in Soho, Manhattan, which is intended to become a
business platform to service importers of Chilean goods and
services. The facility will offer tourism packages, food, and
special products (Diario Financiero, business and financial (circ.
30,000, 2/18).

Nuclear Energy
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9. In February, the National Energy Commission opened a bidding
process for the drafting of a new report on the development of
nuclear-electric energy in Chile. Unlike previous reports, the new
study will gather public opinion concerns on the topic (La Tercera,
2/18).

SIMONS