Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO530
2009-06-05 20:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:  

CHILE MEDIA REPORT - JUNE 5

Tags:  KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON PREL SNAR EFIN CI 
pdf how-to read a cable
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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
---------------
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