CHILE MEDIA REPORT - APRIL 3

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000321 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 - APRIL 3 Leading Stories -------------- ¶1. Dailies noted the G-20 Summit agreement produced "euphoria" in global stock markets. Other stories highlighted that large agricultural producers in southern Chile are concerned with the appearance of bands of thieves in the region. U.S.-Related News -------------- ¶2. The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office organized a seminar on the observance of IPR laws at borders, with U.S. experts and local judges, prosecutors, and Customs officials. Ambassador Paul Simons highlighted the bilateral efforts to find ways "to cooperate in every area related to the transfer of intellectual property across borders." (On-line conservative, influential regional El Mercurio de Valparaiso, 4/3). ¶3. Column by Ambassador Simons encouraging the participation of U.S. companies in Chile's "premier multi-trade industry trade show," Trade One 2009, which this year will feature the United States as the "guest country" (AmCham magazine, March edition). ¶4. At think tank "Libertad y Desarrollo," former U.S. Federal Reserve Governors' Board member Randall Kroszner emphasized that fiscal measures in a country in crisis, such as the United Sates, must focus attention on stabilizing the financial and housing markets rather than on investment and expenditure programs (La Tercera, conservative, independent, circ. 101,000, 4/3). ¶5. The U.S. government granted agrement to Jose Goni (PPD),who will become the new Ambassador to the United States. Goni, a civil engineer, previously served as Bachelet's Defense Minister (All dailies, 4/3). ¶6. Coverage of Dr. Biden's visit to "La Sebastiana" in Vina del Mar, where she was greeted by renown writer Antonio Skarmeta. Assistant Cultural Attach Jennifer Viau commented, "This visit shows the importance of relations between the United States and Chile and the desire of the Obama administration to continue to strengthening ties between our two countries, not just in the area of trade, but also in education, arts, and culture (Regional El Obervador, 3/29). ¶7. U.S. Embassy announces the opening of the selection process to participate in the National Youth Science Camp in West Virginia. The project is sponsored by the National Youth Science Foundation (NYSF) (The Santiago Times and Ministry of Planning webpage, 4/3). ¶8. Obama campaign advisor Patrick de Temple spoke to students at Andres Bello University: "Political improvement comes from young people," said Temple (La Nacion, government-owned, editorially independent, circ. 4,200, 4/3). ¶9. After meeting with Foreign Ministry officials, the families of the two Chilean students murdered and the three injured in Pensacola expressed their disappointment that the GOC will not provide them with neither judicial nor financial assistance (La Tercera, 4/3). ¶10. The Immaculate Heart of Mary, founder of the highly respected all-girls Villa Maria Academy, announced that the school will be transferred to new administrators by 2011, because the congregation will be leaving the country. The school is known for providing quality education and for its well known alumnis (La Tercera, El Mercurio, 4/3). ¶11. Journalist Marie Monique Robin launched her book, "The World According to Monsanto," which accuses the multinational of using genetically modified products (GMOs) to control entire food chains. In addition to the effect of GMOs on biodiversity, Robin underscores that because these products are patented, farmers cannot use the seeds of their own harvest, forcing them to buy seeds from the same provider every year (El Mostrador, on-line news agency, 4/3). President Answers Chavez's Jab -------------- ¶12. In St. Petersburg, President Bachelet responded to Hugo Chavez' recent criticism for meeting with Vice President Biden and British Prime Minister Brown at the Progressive Governance Summit: "Chileans are very happy that their country generates interest and that high-ranking officials from different countries can sit down to discuss issues that concern us all, such as how to come out of this crisis.... In international relations it is important to have (good) judgment and criteria and that is what I will continue to do" (All dailies, 4/3). Bachelet's Popularity Reaches New High -------------- ¶13. The March Adimark poll revealed President Bachelet earned a 62.2% approval rating, the highest level since she took office. Government sources said that this is the result of the array of employment and economic packages the President has announced to help families and businesses face the financial crisis (All dailies, 4/3). Education and the OECD -------------- ¶14. University of Chile Rector Victor Perez said the suggestions made by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) regarding higher education would result in further privatization of college education, a move to which he objects. Perez also rebutted the suggestion that the college admissions test should be "more equitable." University of Santiago Rector Juan Zoelezzi noted that Chile's higher education has been designed with policies established over time by an array of international organizations (El Mercurio, 4/3). SIMONS