FREI FRIENDSHIP MAIN FACTOR BEHIND INSULZA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000026

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2019
TAGS: PGOV CI
SUBJECT: FREI FRIENDSHIP MAIN FACTOR BEHIND INSULZA
WITHDRAWAL, CHILEAN AMBASSADOR SAYS

REF: SANTIAGO 10

Classified By: Ambassador Paul Simons for reason 1.4 (b).


1. (C) Insulza's close personal friendship with Eduardo Frei
was the main reason behind his decision to withdraw from the
presidential race, Insulza confidante and Chilean Ambassador
to the U.S. Mariano Fernandez told Ambassador on January 6.
Fernandez confirmed Insulza's earlier comments to the
Ambassador (reftel) that his decision had little to do with
the recent polls showing Insulza trailing behind Frei.


2. (C) Not only are Frei and Insulza close friends,
Fernandez said Insulza feels indebted to Frei for launching
his political career. Just six months after being appointed
as Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, Frei elevated Insulza
to Foreign Affairs Minister during a cabinet shuffle. The
move took everyone by surprise, as Insulza was a prominent
Socialist party activist, but not someone widely seen as
minister material. (Note: Fernandez then replaced Insulza
as Undersecretary. End Note.) Insulza stayed in this
position for nearly five years, moving near the end of Frei's
term to a post as Minister Secretary of the Presidency.
Frei's successor, Ricardo Lagos, then appointed Insulza as
Minister of the Interior.


3. (C) Fernandez noted that when Insulza first talked about
becoming a presidential candidate, it did not look likely
that Frei would be his main rival for the Concertacion
nomination. However, as the field narrowed, Insulza was
reluctant to engage in a primary battle against Frei and
particularly disinclined from directing a negative campaign
against his former mentor.
SIMONS