CHILE MEDIA REPORT - JUNE 5

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000530 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 - JUNE 5 Leading Stories -------------- ¶1. Chile has a total of 393 cases of AH1N1 influenza; 53% of them are 5-14 year olds. Dailies continue to report on a TVN special report that denounced an array of bad practices among congressmen in the Chamber of Deputies, such as leaving immediately after arriving, voting for others, surfing the Internet. President Obama's Speech in Cairo -------------- ¶2. There was no commentary, only straight reporting based on wire stories. All dailies ran a prominent photograph of the President alone, as he toured the pyramid and sphinx. Headlines were similar if not the same: "Obama promises Muslims a 'New Beginning'" (La Tercera, El Mercurio, regional El Sur and El Diario Austral). Even on-line news agency "El Mostrador," which usually dissents, ran the same headline; "Obama ends antagonism between Islam and the West" (El Mercurio on-line). ¶3. All subheadlines underscored that the President included numerous citations from the Koran. Other quotes in subheadlines: "Islam is not part of the problem in the fight against violent extremism; It's an important component in the search for peace" (La Tercera); "U.S. and Islam need not compete" (La Nacion on-line). ¶4. La Tercera ran an interview with the President of the Minarete Institute in the United States entitled, "He did very well in showing sensitivity for Islam." Cuba-OAS -------------- ¶5. The president of the Cuban parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, labeled the lifting of its suspension from the OAS "a great victory." However, he reiterated that Havana has no desire to join the organization. Alarcon, unlike Insulza, does not believe the resolution will pave the way for the United States to lift the embargo (La Tercera, conservative, independent, circ. 101,000, 6/5). ¶6. Editorial entitled, "Cuba's Resolution": "The elimination of Cuba's suspension without conditions is a bad precedent that undermines the organization's (OAS) Democratic Charter and its principles.... It would have been best to set conditions while at the same time start work to lift the embargo, which is not justified.... It is also now important to work on the basis that Cuba... has no interest to rejoining the organization" (El Mercurio, 6/5). ¶7. Editorial "How to understand the OAS Decision": "The Obama administration announced in April a decisive change in its policies toward Cuba, and yesterday's resolution could be seen in that context. The resolution showed that the United States had to yield much more than it foresaw" (La Segunda, conservative, afternoon, circ. 33,000, 6/5). U.S.-Related News -------------- ¶8. Environmentalist Douglas Tompkins has softened his position and authorized Transelec personnel to enter his park (a nature sanctuary) to take the necessary measurements for the construction of power lines through the park. The power lines are needed for the hydroelectric plants in the region. One of Tompkins' staff members said that the environmentalist is being practical. He has realized that it is better to have some diplomatic ties (rather than none) with the Hidroaysen project. It is not possible to legally stop the placement of power lines through the park, but there is a chance the lines could go under water and he would participate in the design. A special plus, Tompkins has an excellent relationship with Eliodoro Matte, head of the holding company involved in the Hidroasyen project (Que Pasa, newsweekly, 6/5). ¶9. Photo coverage of the Visit USA 2009 Show organized by the Foreign Commercial Section and the Visit USA committee (Cosas Magazine, 6/1). Military Funds -------------- ¶10. The reinterpretation of the Copper Law during the Lagos administration in 2003 has led to an accumulation of US$3 billion for military acquisitions (El Mercurio, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record (circ. 129,000),6/5). Narcotics Use -------------- ¶11. The 8th National Narcotics Survey showed an increase in the use of marijuana among youths under 18. There was also a new record high over the past 14 years in the use of cocaine (18 % of those polled) -- even in the low-income bracket. The report noted a decrease in the use of marijuana in the 19-25 age bracket and the appearance of heroin (0.1%). The survey showed that the use of other drugs such as ecstasy has not varied. The use of tobacco remains stable and notable decrease in the use of alcohol, according to more than 17,000 polled (La Segunda, conservative, afternoon, circ. 33,000, 6/4). SIMONS