CHILE MEDIA REPORT - MAY 13

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000455 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 - MAY 13 Leading Story -------------- ¶1. Health authorities are facing criticism for decreeing only a "preventive smog alert" in Santiago when the levels of pollution recorded was "critical" in the community of Cerro Navia and "poor" in fou others. As in previous years, the poorest areas of the city had the worst levels of air pollution. U.S.-Related News -------------- ¶2. President Obama appointed Chilean Arturo Valenzuela for Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Captioned photograph says: "Valenzuela will 'rebuild' the relationship with Latin America." ¶3. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Alberto van Klaveren: "It's great news that makes us very proud. He is a very capable professional who hasn't lost touch with his country of origin." RN Senator Sergio Romero: "Someone with Valenzuela's academic background and knowledge... will help bring Latin America closer to the U.S. government." PS Senator Jaime Gazmuri: "I hope this helps establish the most flowing relations possible with the United States." Jorge Pizarro, Senate Foreign relations committee (DC): "Arturo knows the region and has contact with all countries. It's a sign that brings Obama closer to the region" (El Mercurio, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record, circ. 129,000, 5/13). ¶4. Government spokesman Carolina Toha: "Valenzuela is a man of great experience and knowledge about the processes that are occurring in Latin America.... It (his appointment) gives a special emphasis to relations with Latin America" (El Mercurio, 5/13). IPR --- ¶5. According to an International Data Corporation (IDC) and Business Software Alliance (BSA) report, 67% of software programs used in Chile is pirated. This makes Chile one of the three countries in the region that registered an increase of its piracy rate in 2008. The figure could undermine Chile's efforts to join the OECD, whose members have only a 36% average piracy rate (El Mercurio; Diario Financiero, business and financial, circ. 30,000, 5/13). On-Line Presidential Debate -------------- ¶6. The Universidad del Desarrollo is organizing an on-line presidential debate on May 19 at 9am that will be aired live on the Internet, and broadcast by Radio Bio Bio and CNN-Chile. The candidates have yet to confirm their participation (La Segunda, conservative, afternoon, circ. 33,000, 5/12). Environment -------------- ¶7. Minister of the Environment Ana Lya Uriarte has called on electricity generators Colbun and AES Gener to use liquid natural gas rather that diesel in their plants. Uriarte reminded both holdings that the authorization to burn diesel is only valid when there is no alternative fuel (Diario Financiero, 5/13). SIMONS