Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO354
2009-04-15 20:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
CHILE MEDIA REPORT - APRIL 15
how-toVZCZCXYZ0015 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSG #0354 1052053 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 152053Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4797 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 3925 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 2387 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 1442 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0854 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2048 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 6130 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4357 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 2309 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
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
---------------
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
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