CHILE MEDIA REPORT - APRIL 15

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000354 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 15 Leading Stories -------------- ¶1. Presidential candidate Sebastian Pinera, who sought to console the family of a 16-year old girl who died from a gunshot wound, was told to leave a wake by the girl's relatives; they accused the candidate of using the event for political gain. Dailies also reported Congressmen contend the US$1 million fine applied to pharmacy FASA for collusion is "a mockery," claiming the fine is considerably lower that than the profits the chain obtained and cost to consumers. U.S.-Related News -------------- ¶2. Foreign Affairs Minister Mariano Fernandez will meet today with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss the proposed date of an eventual Bachelet-Obama bilateral meeting. La Moneda wants the meeting to take place in the White House, because that would "elevate" the importance of the meeting (La Nacion, government-owned, editorially independent, circ. 4,200, 4/15). ¶3. Local orange producers estimate that the first shipment to enter the recently-opened U.S. market will total 6,000 tons. The producers are fully aware that the only way to comply with the strict U.S. sanitary and quality demands is to work together as a sector (Diario Financiero, business and financial, circ. 30,000, 4/15). ¶4. Editorial, "Obama's View": "As the world looks urgently for optimistic signs, U.S. President Obama responds with realism and responsibly.... In a conference at Georgetown University yesterday... Obama emphasized that in addition to implementing plans to stabilize the U.S. economy, his priority is to prevent a similar crisis from occurring again.... Obama said his government would continue to take steps to set 'a new foundation' so that the U.S. economy can rejoin the path of prosperity.... Certain things will help the United States come out of the crisis, notably realism, a good prognosis and a steady performance by President Obama in the economic arena (Estrategia, business and financial, circ. 30,000, 4/15). Summit of the Americas -- Cuba -------------- ¶5. President Hugo Chavez said he is "preparing the artillery" to confront President Obama at the Summit of the Americas, where he will "demand the empire to lift the blockade on Cuba" (La Segunda, conservative, afternoon, circ. 33,000, 4/15). ¶6. Fidel Castro criticized OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza's efforts to bring Cuba back into the regional organization. Castro responded that Cuba has no interest in rejoining and "does not want to hear about the infamous" organization (La Tercera, conservative, independent,circ. 101,000, 4/15). ¶7. Editorial: "Obama's decision to lift restrictions on Cuban American travel and remittances to Cuba... are minor compared to what it would mean to lift the embargo.... However, it shows that the U.S. administration is willing to shift its policy with regard to Cuba.... But gestures toward the Cuban regime must entail some form or reciprocity with regard to living conditions on the island. So far, the abundant expressions of goodwill that Castro has received... have not translated whatsoever into any kind of progress with regard to public liberties.... It is important to prevent Cuba from turning into the focal point of the U.S.-Latin America relationship.... There are many other issues that are much more urgent to the region... such as the defense of free trade, the battle against protectionism... immigration and the costs of the war against narcotics trafficking (La Segunda, conservative, afternoon. circ. 33,000, 4/14). Labor Issues -------------- ¶8. The Workers Central Union, CUT, has called a national demonstration for tomorrow. The union's demands are extensive, ranging from ending the profit-making goal of educational institutions to the nationalization of water resources. Reportedly, the goal of this call is to show the business sector and the opposition parties that union leaders still have the power to convoke workers nationwide (La Nacion, 4/15). SIMONS