Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO393
2009-04-24 16:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
CHILE MEDIA REPORT - APRIL 24
how-toVZCZCXYZ0019 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSG #0393 1141659 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 241659Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4848 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 3940 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 2404 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 1459 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0873 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2067 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 6150 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4372 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 2328 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000393
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PTER ECON PREL SNAR EFIN CI
SUBJECT: CHILE MEDIA REPORT - APRIL 24
Leading Story
-------------
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000393
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PTER ECON PREL SNAR EFIN CI
SUBJECT: CHILE MEDIA REPORT - APRIL 24
Leading Story
--------------
1. Unemployment figures in the Metropolitan Region reached a record
high of 12.8% in March. Peak unemployment is expected between June
and August during Chile's winter months.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. Chile's Wood Corporation (CORMA),which encompasses about 200
private forestry companies, complained to the Foreign Ministry over
what it considers is unfair competition on the part of U.S.
cellulose producers. The issue at stake is the subsidy that U.S.
producers receive for using an "alternative fuel," which in practice
is the traditionally used pulp waste -- black liquor -- mixed with
diesel. CORMA explained that black liquor has always been used in
the pulp process and that, therefore, the addition of diesel -- a
fossil fuel -- is just a measure to qualify for the subsidy. CORMA
says this "violates the spirit of the (U.S.) law," which is intended
to promote the use of clean fuels. The Foreign Ministry's
International Economic Affairs Bureau, DIRECON, suggested CORMA
either go to the WTO or resort to a commission under the FTA
framework to resolve the controversy. CORMA agreed to pursue the
latter (El Mercurio, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record,
circ. 129,000, 4/24).
FARC Training of Mapuche Rebel
--------------
3. Police during a search found a diary kept by Mauricio Huaiquilao
(32) of the Mapuche organization "Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco" (CAM)
that established beyond any doubt that Huaiquilao received FARC
paramilitary training. The journal details his stay in a FARC camp
located near the border of Colombia and Ecuador, the same area where
FARC leader Raul Reyes was killed in March 2008. This is the first
time that it is possible to confirm such a tie. Huaiquilao (32)
faces charges for arson and acts of terrorism (El Mercurio, 4/24).
Narcotics
--------------
4. The government has banned the import, distribution, and sale of
a blend of herbs sold as "Spice," which in practice is synthetic
cannabis. The product was sold in different stores in Santiago.
The Public Health Institute (ISP) conducted tests that show the
product is highly addictive, toxic, and much stronger than marijuana
(El Mercurio, 4/24).
URBAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PTER ECON PREL SNAR EFIN CI
SUBJECT: CHILE MEDIA REPORT - APRIL 24
Leading Story
--------------
1. Unemployment figures in the Metropolitan Region reached a record
high of 12.8% in March. Peak unemployment is expected between June
and August during Chile's winter months.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. Chile's Wood Corporation (CORMA),which encompasses about 200
private forestry companies, complained to the Foreign Ministry over
what it considers is unfair competition on the part of U.S.
cellulose producers. The issue at stake is the subsidy that U.S.
producers receive for using an "alternative fuel," which in practice
is the traditionally used pulp waste -- black liquor -- mixed with
diesel. CORMA explained that black liquor has always been used in
the pulp process and that, therefore, the addition of diesel -- a
fossil fuel -- is just a measure to qualify for the subsidy. CORMA
says this "violates the spirit of the (U.S.) law," which is intended
to promote the use of clean fuels. The Foreign Ministry's
International Economic Affairs Bureau, DIRECON, suggested CORMA
either go to the WTO or resort to a commission under the FTA
framework to resolve the controversy. CORMA agreed to pursue the
latter (El Mercurio, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record,
circ. 129,000, 4/24).
FARC Training of Mapuche Rebel
--------------
3. Police during a search found a diary kept by Mauricio Huaiquilao
(32) of the Mapuche organization "Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco" (CAM)
that established beyond any doubt that Huaiquilao received FARC
paramilitary training. The journal details his stay in a FARC camp
located near the border of Colombia and Ecuador, the same area where
FARC leader Raul Reyes was killed in March 2008. This is the first
time that it is possible to confirm such a tie. Huaiquilao (32)
faces charges for arson and acts of terrorism (El Mercurio, 4/24).
Narcotics
--------------
4. The government has banned the import, distribution, and sale of
a blend of herbs sold as "Spice," which in practice is synthetic
cannabis. The product was sold in different stores in Santiago.
The Public Health Institute (ISP) conducted tests that show the
product is highly addictive, toxic, and much stronger than marijuana
(El Mercurio, 4/24).
URBAN