Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO493
2009-05-26 20:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR'S OUTREACH IN PUNTA ARENAS AND TORRES DEL PAINE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSG #0493/01 1462005 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 262005Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4980 INFO RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 1504 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 6194 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAY BRASILIA 0918 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4415 RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 3985 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2107 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 2384
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000493
STATE FOR WHA/BSC AND WHA/EPSC
STATE FOR OES/ENV AND OES/FO
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SENV PREL CI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S OUTREACH IN PUNTA ARENAS AND TORRES DEL PAINE
EMPHASIZES ENVIRONMENTAL COLLABORATION
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000493
STATE FOR WHA/BSC AND WHA/EPSC
STATE FOR OES/ENV AND OES/FO
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SENV PREL CI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S OUTREACH IN PUNTA ARENAS AND TORRES DEL PAINE
EMPHASIZES ENVIRONMENTAL COLLABORATION
1. (U) Summary: The Ambassador visited Punta Arenas and Torres del
Paine National Park, May 12-13, to celebrate the Park's 50th
anniversary and to give a speech about the first 100 days of the
Obama administration at the University of Magallanes (UMAG). In
Punta Arenas, the Ambassador also stopped at Chile's Antarctic
Institute to discuss the Institute's research efforts and plans to
increase environmental education and establish an Antarctic museum.
With the new mayor of Punta Arenas, the Ambassador reviewed several
health and education challenges in the city. The Ambassador also
held a press conference at the American Corner at UMAG to highlight
on-going U.S.-Chile collaboration. The visit received notable press
coverage. End summary.
Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine
--------------
2. (U) Punta Arenas is the most prominent settlement on the Straits
of Magellan and the capital of the XII Region, which encompasses
Magallanes and Chile's Antarctic territory. With a population of
about 120,000, the port city of Punta Arenas is the third largest
city in Patagonia and one of Chile's two tax-free zones (the other
is the northern port of Iquique). The region's economy depends
mainly on exploration and exploitation activities related to oil
(petroleum),gas and coal production. Cattle and sheep farming,
wool, fishing and tourism are also important economic activities.
3. (U) Torres del Paine, situated in the far south, is one of the
Chile's most famous national parks. It lies about 300 km north of
Punta Arenas, in a transition area between the Magellanic sub-polar
forests and the Patagonian steppes. The Cordillera del Paine is the
centerpiece of the park, which also encompasses mountains, glaciers,
lakes, and rivers. Torres del Paine enjoys a Sister Park
relationship with Yosemite National Park.
Chile's Antarctic Institute: Looking to Expand Activities
-------------- --------------
4. (U) The Ambassador, accompanied by Post's ESTH officer and
Economic Specialist, met with the Deputy Director of Chile's
Antarctic Institute (Instituto Antartico Chileno - INACH) Paulina
Julio, as well as INACH's Head of Communications and Education
Department, Elas Barticevic; Head of the Project Administration
Department, Dr. Javier Arata; Project Administration Department,
Environmental Division Researcher, Veronica Vallejos; and
Oceanographer Stephen Kraus.
5. (SBU) The INACH team was eager to discuss the Institute's
on-going research efforts and praised recent visits from Post's
public affairs environmental specialist and NASA. NASA plans to
launch flights to measure glacial ice from Punta Arenas late in 2009
and has invited INACH to participate. Several researches lamented
the lack of English capability among researchers and noted several
as-yet-to-be-developed plans for creating a research institute to
improve collaboration among Antarctic researchers in English and
Spanish. Barticevic emphasized the need to increase environmental
education and described several initiatives to engage school-age
children. Julio said that the Institute has procured a site for
establishing an Antarctic museum, but that planning is still in the
early stages.
Mayor Discusses Health and Education Challenges
-------------- --
6. (SBU) The Ambassador had a productive discussion with the new
mayor of Punta Arenas, Vladimiro Mimica, an independent. [Note:
Mimica, a former socialist and sports commentator, was elected in
December 2008 with the highest percentage for a mayoral candidate
since the return of democracy. He earned 55 percent of the vote.
End note.] Mimica marveled at the array of issues that he is asked
to address as the city's mayor, notably providing adequate
hospitals, schools, and transportation. He added that teenage drug
use is an area of major concern.
7. (U) The Ambassador also paid a courtesy call on Rear Admiral
Philippe Ojeda, whom he has met several times, to reaffirm on-going
Embassy-Navy cooperation.
Outreach: The First 100 Days of the Obama Administration
-------------- --------------
8. (U) The Ambassador held a press conference during his visit to
the UMAG American Corner. He also gave a speech on campus called
"The First 100 Days of the Obama Administration: A New U.S.
Commitment for the 21st Century" to more than 100 students, faculty
and local authorities. The Ambassador highlighted U.S. engagement
with Latin America, particularly with Chile, which received ample
media coverage.
9. (U) The Ambassador then attended a dinner hosted by UMAG Rector
Victor Fajardo joined by Vice-Rector for Academics and Dean of
Economic Sciences and Law Schools, Luis Poblete; Vice-Rector for
Adminstration and Finance, Dr. Jose Maripani; Secretary General, Ana
Mara Nazal; Director of Comunications and Outreach, Monica Buvinic;
and American Corner Coordinator, Marilin Lobos.
Torres del Paine National Park Turns 50
--------------
10. (U) The Ambassador on May 13 participated in the ceremony
commemorating the 50th anniversary of Torres del Paine National
Park. Against the stunning backdrop of Torres del Paine, the
Executive Director of CONAF, Catalina Bau, the Intendente of
Magallanes and Antarctica, Mario Maturana, and local historian Mateo
Martinic all paid homage to the Park in a ceremony that celebrated
its history, honored its directors, rangers and supporters and
highlighted its natural beauty.
11. (U) The event moderators read a congratulatory letter from the
Department of State Acting Assistant Secretary, Ambassador Reno
Harnish. Several of the speakers highlighted U.S.-Chile
cooperation, and CONAF Regional Director Juan Jos Romero and
current park Director Jose Linnebrink thanked the Ambassador
personally after the ceremony. After the official part of the
ceremony, an enthusiastic crowd welcomed a performance by one of
Chile's most beloved musical groups, los Jaivas.
Positive Press Coverage on U.S.-Chile Parks Collaboration
-------------- --------------
12. (U) Several media agencies interviewed the Ambassador after the
commemorative event. He emphasized the magnificence of Torres del
Paine and the excellent collaboration between the U.S. and Chile in
the areas of environment, conservation and park management. He also
highlighted on-going U.S. engagement with Torres del Paine,
including: the Sister Park Agreement with Yosemite (ranger
exchanges, sharing of best practices); annual trail maintenance by
participants in the California-based Conservation Volunteers
International Program (Conservation VIP); and, the English for Parks
Program, which provides English language instruction to park
rangers.
13. (U) Overall, the entire trip received positive coverage in the
media. Information, pictures and video clips (on YouTube) about the
visit are posted on Embassy Santiago's website.
SIMONS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC AND WHA/EPSC
STATE FOR OES/ENV AND OES/FO
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SENV PREL CI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S OUTREACH IN PUNTA ARENAS AND TORRES DEL PAINE
EMPHASIZES ENVIRONMENTAL COLLABORATION
1. (U) Summary: The Ambassador visited Punta Arenas and Torres del
Paine National Park, May 12-13, to celebrate the Park's 50th
anniversary and to give a speech about the first 100 days of the
Obama administration at the University of Magallanes (UMAG). In
Punta Arenas, the Ambassador also stopped at Chile's Antarctic
Institute to discuss the Institute's research efforts and plans to
increase environmental education and establish an Antarctic museum.
With the new mayor of Punta Arenas, the Ambassador reviewed several
health and education challenges in the city. The Ambassador also
held a press conference at the American Corner at UMAG to highlight
on-going U.S.-Chile collaboration. The visit received notable press
coverage. End summary.
Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine
--------------
2. (U) Punta Arenas is the most prominent settlement on the Straits
of Magellan and the capital of the XII Region, which encompasses
Magallanes and Chile's Antarctic territory. With a population of
about 120,000, the port city of Punta Arenas is the third largest
city in Patagonia and one of Chile's two tax-free zones (the other
is the northern port of Iquique). The region's economy depends
mainly on exploration and exploitation activities related to oil
(petroleum),gas and coal production. Cattle and sheep farming,
wool, fishing and tourism are also important economic activities.
3. (U) Torres del Paine, situated in the far south, is one of the
Chile's most famous national parks. It lies about 300 km north of
Punta Arenas, in a transition area between the Magellanic sub-polar
forests and the Patagonian steppes. The Cordillera del Paine is the
centerpiece of the park, which also encompasses mountains, glaciers,
lakes, and rivers. Torres del Paine enjoys a Sister Park
relationship with Yosemite National Park.
Chile's Antarctic Institute: Looking to Expand Activities
-------------- --------------
4. (U) The Ambassador, accompanied by Post's ESTH officer and
Economic Specialist, met with the Deputy Director of Chile's
Antarctic Institute (Instituto Antartico Chileno - INACH) Paulina
Julio, as well as INACH's Head of Communications and Education
Department, Elas Barticevic; Head of the Project Administration
Department, Dr. Javier Arata; Project Administration Department,
Environmental Division Researcher, Veronica Vallejos; and
Oceanographer Stephen Kraus.
5. (SBU) The INACH team was eager to discuss the Institute's
on-going research efforts and praised recent visits from Post's
public affairs environmental specialist and NASA. NASA plans to
launch flights to measure glacial ice from Punta Arenas late in 2009
and has invited INACH to participate. Several researches lamented
the lack of English capability among researchers and noted several
as-yet-to-be-developed plans for creating a research institute to
improve collaboration among Antarctic researchers in English and
Spanish. Barticevic emphasized the need to increase environmental
education and described several initiatives to engage school-age
children. Julio said that the Institute has procured a site for
establishing an Antarctic museum, but that planning is still in the
early stages.
Mayor Discusses Health and Education Challenges
-------------- --
6. (SBU) The Ambassador had a productive discussion with the new
mayor of Punta Arenas, Vladimiro Mimica, an independent. [Note:
Mimica, a former socialist and sports commentator, was elected in
December 2008 with the highest percentage for a mayoral candidate
since the return of democracy. He earned 55 percent of the vote.
End note.] Mimica marveled at the array of issues that he is asked
to address as the city's mayor, notably providing adequate
hospitals, schools, and transportation. He added that teenage drug
use is an area of major concern.
7. (U) The Ambassador also paid a courtesy call on Rear Admiral
Philippe Ojeda, whom he has met several times, to reaffirm on-going
Embassy-Navy cooperation.
Outreach: The First 100 Days of the Obama Administration
-------------- --------------
8. (U) The Ambassador held a press conference during his visit to
the UMAG American Corner. He also gave a speech on campus called
"The First 100 Days of the Obama Administration: A New U.S.
Commitment for the 21st Century" to more than 100 students, faculty
and local authorities. The Ambassador highlighted U.S. engagement
with Latin America, particularly with Chile, which received ample
media coverage.
9. (U) The Ambassador then attended a dinner hosted by UMAG Rector
Victor Fajardo joined by Vice-Rector for Academics and Dean of
Economic Sciences and Law Schools, Luis Poblete; Vice-Rector for
Adminstration and Finance, Dr. Jose Maripani; Secretary General, Ana
Mara Nazal; Director of Comunications and Outreach, Monica Buvinic;
and American Corner Coordinator, Marilin Lobos.
Torres del Paine National Park Turns 50
--------------
10. (U) The Ambassador on May 13 participated in the ceremony
commemorating the 50th anniversary of Torres del Paine National
Park. Against the stunning backdrop of Torres del Paine, the
Executive Director of CONAF, Catalina Bau, the Intendente of
Magallanes and Antarctica, Mario Maturana, and local historian Mateo
Martinic all paid homage to the Park in a ceremony that celebrated
its history, honored its directors, rangers and supporters and
highlighted its natural beauty.
11. (U) The event moderators read a congratulatory letter from the
Department of State Acting Assistant Secretary, Ambassador Reno
Harnish. Several of the speakers highlighted U.S.-Chile
cooperation, and CONAF Regional Director Juan Jos Romero and
current park Director Jose Linnebrink thanked the Ambassador
personally after the ceremony. After the official part of the
ceremony, an enthusiastic crowd welcomed a performance by one of
Chile's most beloved musical groups, los Jaivas.
Positive Press Coverage on U.S.-Chile Parks Collaboration
-------------- --------------
12. (U) Several media agencies interviewed the Ambassador after the
commemorative event. He emphasized the magnificence of Torres del
Paine and the excellent collaboration between the U.S. and Chile in
the areas of environment, conservation and park management. He also
highlighted on-going U.S. engagement with Torres del Paine,
including: the Sister Park Agreement with Yosemite (ranger
exchanges, sharing of best practices); annual trail maintenance by
participants in the California-based Conservation Volunteers
International Program (Conservation VIP); and, the English for Parks
Program, which provides English language instruction to park
rangers.
13. (U) Overall, the entire trip received positive coverage in the
media. Information, pictures and video clips (on YouTube) about the
visit are posted on Embassy Santiago's website.
SIMONS