Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO176
2009-02-26 16:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
CHILE MEDIA REPORT - FEBRUARY 26
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UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000176
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON PREL SNAR EFIN CI
SUBJECT: CHILE MEDIA REPORT - FEBRUARY 26
Leading Stories
---------------
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000176
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON PREL SNAR EFIN CI
SUBJECT: CHILE MEDIA REPORT - FEBRUARY 26
Leading Stories
--------------
1. Finance Minister Andres Velasco's two-year old daughter has come
out of an induced coma and is interacting normally with her parents.
Dailies also report the government's announcement to rebuild the
town of Chaiten 12 kilometers from the volcano.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. The Department of State annual human rights report included the
Mapuche conflict with lumber companies, the number of women killed
as a result of domestic violence, and overpopulation of prisons as
the most critical issues in this area. The report cites the case of
a Mapuche who was shot and killed on January 3 by the police as he
occupied privately-owned land and destroyed harvests. The report
noted that although a police officer was indicted, the case is still
pending in court and the individual remains free (La Tercera,
conservative, independent, circ. 101,000, 2/26).
3. Headline: "The United States criticizes Chile over Indigenous
Mapuche Conflict and Prisons" (El Mercurio, conservative,
influential newspaper-of-record, on-line edition, 2/26).
4. In its annual human rights report, the United States says the
GOC respects the human rights of its citizens, but points out
"isolated" cases of "excessive police force" (Government-owned,
editorially independent, La Nacion, circ. 4,200, 2.26).
Brazil
--------------
5. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met yesterday with her
Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim. Amorim said after the meeting
he had underscored "the importance of political diversity in Latin
America" and the region's change in stance with regard to Cuba,
which joined the Rio Group. The meeting with Amorim is yet another
sign of the importance that the Obama administration is assigning to
its ties with Brazil. Lula has become the leader of the moderate
left in the region and could become a valuable interlocutor
concerning U.S. ties with Latin AMERICA and in countering Hugo
Chavez' radical policies. Obama's support is also important for
Brazil, which wants to occupy a permanent seat in the UNSC (El
Mercurio, 2/26).
Economy
--------------
6. Stock market analysis webpage "Seeking Alpha" states the United
States should take a lesson from Chile's responsible fiscal policy
to confront the financial crisis (La Nacion, 2/26).
7. An IDB survey revealed Chile has spent only 34% of income
accumulated over the years prior to the financial crisis, when the
price of copper was at a record high. The seven largest economies
in the region have spent up to 77% of their income. This puts Chile
in a better position to confront today's economic crisis
(Estrategia, 2/26).
8. Chile's Securities and Insurance Supervisor (SVS) figures show
that contrary to pessimistic expectations, the 15 companies that
conform the stock market's IPSA index obtained 7% higher profits on
average in the last quarter of 2008 (El Mercurio, 2/26).
SIMONS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON PREL SNAR EFIN CI
SUBJECT: CHILE MEDIA REPORT - FEBRUARY 26
Leading Stories
--------------
1. Finance Minister Andres Velasco's two-year old daughter has come
out of an induced coma and is interacting normally with her parents.
Dailies also report the government's announcement to rebuild the
town of Chaiten 12 kilometers from the volcano.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. The Department of State annual human rights report included the
Mapuche conflict with lumber companies, the number of women killed
as a result of domestic violence, and overpopulation of prisons as
the most critical issues in this area. The report cites the case of
a Mapuche who was shot and killed on January 3 by the police as he
occupied privately-owned land and destroyed harvests. The report
noted that although a police officer was indicted, the case is still
pending in court and the individual remains free (La Tercera,
conservative, independent, circ. 101,000, 2/26).
3. Headline: "The United States criticizes Chile over Indigenous
Mapuche Conflict and Prisons" (El Mercurio, conservative,
influential newspaper-of-record, on-line edition, 2/26).
4. In its annual human rights report, the United States says the
GOC respects the human rights of its citizens, but points out
"isolated" cases of "excessive police force" (Government-owned,
editorially independent, La Nacion, circ. 4,200, 2.26).
Brazil
--------------
5. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met yesterday with her
Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim. Amorim said after the meeting
he had underscored "the importance of political diversity in Latin
America" and the region's change in stance with regard to Cuba,
which joined the Rio Group. The meeting with Amorim is yet another
sign of the importance that the Obama administration is assigning to
its ties with Brazil. Lula has become the leader of the moderate
left in the region and could become a valuable interlocutor
concerning U.S. ties with Latin AMERICA and in countering Hugo
Chavez' radical policies. Obama's support is also important for
Brazil, which wants to occupy a permanent seat in the UNSC (El
Mercurio, 2/26).
Economy
--------------
6. Stock market analysis webpage "Seeking Alpha" states the United
States should take a lesson from Chile's responsible fiscal policy
to confront the financial crisis (La Nacion, 2/26).
7. An IDB survey revealed Chile has spent only 34% of income
accumulated over the years prior to the financial crisis, when the
price of copper was at a record high. The seven largest economies
in the region have spent up to 77% of their income. This puts Chile
in a better position to confront today's economic crisis
(Estrategia, 2/26).
8. Chile's Securities and Insurance Supervisor (SVS) figures show
that contrary to pessimistic expectations, the 15 companies that
conform the stock market's IPSA index obtained 7% higher profits on
average in the last quarter of 2008 (El Mercurio, 2/26).
SIMONS