Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO213
2009-03-06 15:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
CHILE MEDIA REPORT - MARCH 6
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UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000213
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 - MARCH 6
Leading Stories
---------------
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000213
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 - MARCH 6
Leading Stories
--------------
1. The government is open to implementing yet another economic
reactivation plan given the most recent economic statistics, which
show the lowest growth rates in the last ten years. Adimark survey
shows a 58% rate of approval for President Bachelet, the highest
since 2006.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza stated in Montevideo
the need to resolve the 1962 resolution that excluded Cuba from the
organization and said he was party to facilitating a rapprochement
between Cuba and the United States (El Mercurio, 3/6).
3. A 63-year old American tourist committed suicide by jumping off
the cruise ship "Carnival Splendid" in northern Chile. The tourist
was traveling with his wife and disappeared overnight. He left a
letter. Two Chilean Navy ships and a helicopter are searching for
the body in a 1,000 square kilometer area. The cruise ship also
assisted, but today continued its trip further north (All dailies,
3/6).
Benefit of FTAs
--------------
4. Foreign Affairs International Economic Relations General
Director Carlos Furche believes that the free trade agreements
signed by Chile will help shield the country from protectionist
policies that tend to emerge during difficult financial times such
as today's crisis. Furche said these accords provide the framework
for ad hoc committees to resolve an array of specific issues and
also generate "a capital of mutual trust" that is valuable in hard
times (El Mercurio, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record,
circ. 129,000, 3/6).
Favorable Polling
--------------
5. Adimark poll shows that Bachelet has a 58% approval rating.
This is the highest level since April 2006. The survey also
indicates an improvement in the perception of all the president's
personal attributes: leadership--62.5%; beloved--82.2%; and her
ability to face crisis--69.5%. 54% agree with how she and her
financial team are managing the economy. Foreign Affairs Minister
Foxley was again among the best rated ministers. But the highest
increase was for Finance Minister Andres Velasco, whose approval had
been gradually increasing (La Tercera, conservative, independent,
circ. 101,000; La Nacion, government-owned, editorially independent,
circ, 4,200, 3/6).
Transantiago
--------------
6. The report of Chamber of Deputies' committee investigating the
IDB loan to the Transantiago severely questioned the role played by
ministers Andres Velasco (Finance)and Rene Cortazar (Transportation)
in securing that loan (La Tercera, 3/6).
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 - MARCH 6
Leading Stories
--------------
1. The government is open to implementing yet another economic
reactivation plan given the most recent economic statistics, which
show the lowest growth rates in the last ten years. Adimark survey
shows a 58% rate of approval for President Bachelet, the highest
since 2006.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza stated in Montevideo
the need to resolve the 1962 resolution that excluded Cuba from the
organization and said he was party to facilitating a rapprochement
between Cuba and the United States (El Mercurio, 3/6).
3. A 63-year old American tourist committed suicide by jumping off
the cruise ship "Carnival Splendid" in northern Chile. The tourist
was traveling with his wife and disappeared overnight. He left a
letter. Two Chilean Navy ships and a helicopter are searching for
the body in a 1,000 square kilometer area. The cruise ship also
assisted, but today continued its trip further north (All dailies,
3/6).
Benefit of FTAs
--------------
4. Foreign Affairs International Economic Relations General
Director Carlos Furche believes that the free trade agreements
signed by Chile will help shield the country from protectionist
policies that tend to emerge during difficult financial times such
as today's crisis. Furche said these accords provide the framework
for ad hoc committees to resolve an array of specific issues and
also generate "a capital of mutual trust" that is valuable in hard
times (El Mercurio, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record,
circ. 129,000, 3/6).
Favorable Polling
--------------
5. Adimark poll shows that Bachelet has a 58% approval rating.
This is the highest level since April 2006. The survey also
indicates an improvement in the perception of all the president's
personal attributes: leadership--62.5%; beloved--82.2%; and her
ability to face crisis--69.5%. 54% agree with how she and her
financial team are managing the economy. Foreign Affairs Minister
Foxley was again among the best rated ministers. But the highest
increase was for Finance Minister Andres Velasco, whose approval had
been gradually increasing (La Tercera, conservative, independent,
circ. 101,000; La Nacion, government-owned, editorially independent,
circ, 4,200, 3/6).
Transantiago
--------------
6. The report of Chamber of Deputies' committee investigating the
IDB loan to the Transantiago severely questioned the role played by
ministers Andres Velasco (Finance)and Rene Cortazar (Transportation)
in securing that loan (La Tercera, 3/6).
SIMONS