CHILE MEDIA REPORT -- June 22

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000584 SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV OPRC PREL PGOV SNAR CI SUBJECT: CHILE MEDIA REPORT -- June 22 Leading Stories -------------- ¶1. The media highlighted President Michelle Bachelet plan to call for an early retirement of Investigative Police Director Arturo Herrera as a result of his undistinguished performance in removing high-ranking officials involved in a prostitution ring. Newspapers also noted the Chamber of Deputies will tighten procedures and accountability instruments in response to the case of a legislator who admitted mishandling funds assigned for office-space rental. U.S.-Related News -------------- ¶2. Article described Chile's nuclear energy agenda, claiming a likely coincidence with the U.S. "strategy" on the nuclear issue. The piece noted that Energy Minister Marcelo Tokman "will attend the historic (presidential) visit to the White House (June 23),where he will sign a cooperation agreement on Non-Conventional Renewable Energies (NCRE)." The article indicated that "last February, Minister Tokman met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu in a very productive meeting where they agreed to strengthen bilateral ties on energy matters." In an interview with El Mostrador online daily, "U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons noted that Chile is an important partner for the United States due to its unique solar energy resources. Chile also has remarkable geothermal capabilities, ocean wave and wind energy, and a large quantity of natural resources," he said. The agreement with the United States at this time will only be focused on Non-Conventional Renewable Energy. Ambassador Simons commented that nuclear energy may become a part of the agenda in the future, "should the Government of Chile decide it needs collaboration in that area. The United States has considerable experience, where almost 20 percent of its power is nuclear. We have already exchanged information. But meanwhile, the agreement is focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency" (El Mostrador, online, liberal, 6/22). ¶3. As of 8 p.m. tonight President Michelle Bachelet and her delegation will depart on a short visit to the United States and Mexico. She is scheduled to meet with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, Tuesday, June 23, at 2 p.m. (El Mercurio, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record, circ. 129,000, 6/22). ¶4. Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez characterized President Michelle Bachelet's official visit to the United States as her most important tour of the year. During her trip, President Bachelet will convey to U.S. officials Chile's apprehensions over the forestry subsidies that benefit U.S. cellulose producers, which are harming the local forestry industry (Diario Financiero, business and financial, circ. 30,000, 6/22). ¶5. Story on Mapuche leader Hector Llaitul's "unknown" conference to recruit youths, last November 10, in Temuco. Llaitul, currently a fugitive, is the military leader of the Coordinadora Arauco Malleco (CAM) indigenous subversive group. In his speech, Llaitul summoned an audience of approximately 50 students to join "the fight." In its latest Country Reports on Terrorism, the Department of State stated that the Coordinadora Arauco Malleco has shown increased planning and a more professional use of weapons and tactics. The report even said that the Embassy in Santiago is monitoring the actions carried out by CAM in Chile. Nevertheless, the Chilean Government downplayed the report and ruled out the reorganization of the radicalized group (El Mercurio, 6/21). ¶6. Article compared the U.S. and French "cultural models," noting they are radically different but equally successful. While the Ministry of Culture in France celebrates in July its fiftieth anniversary, the United States has never had a government agency dedicated to the issue. Nevertheless, First Lady Michelle Obama is already being called "Minister" of the subject due to the important role that she is assuming. In the United States, private donations are essential. Counselor for Public Affairs Laurie B. Weitzenkorn highlighted the Obama Administration's US$50 million stimulus package, which was provided to the National Endowment for the Arts. Cultural Affairs Attach Michael D. Orlansky highlighted that 10 percent of funding in the United States comes from the public sector, while 90 percent is supplied by the private sector." (El Mercurio, 6/21) ¶7. Editorial: "Free Market and Ways to Solve the Crisis" "President Barack Obama recently announced measures to increase the regulations on market and financial institutions, and stronger protections for consumers and investors. Some legislators have questioned several aspects of his proposal.... Nevertheless, beyond the specifics, the most notable fact is that it does not propose in depth reforms to the ongoing economic model.... The plan seeks to improve regulations while respecting and encouraging the fundamentals of market freedom; President Obama and the European leaders are paving the way to a speedier recovery" (La Tercera, 6/22). Chile-Nuclear Energy -------------- ¶8. Minister of Energy Marcelo Tokman stated that by December 2010 the Government will be in condition to determine whether it will incorporate nuclear energy in its power matrix. It is estimated that by that date, the next administration will have the necessary data to make a decision. In the next three months, the Government expects to open the bidding process for three other studies on nuclear energy, which will address the legal framework, environmental risks, and power regulations (La Tercera, conservative, independent daily, circ. 101,000, 9/20). Chile-OAS -------------- ¶9. Interview with OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza on local politics and the results of last week's CEP opinion poll. With regard to his plans to run for a second term as chief of the regional organization, Insulza responded: "We have spoken with (Chile's) Foreign Minister and it is in my plans" (El Mercurio, 6/20). Peru-Bolivia -------------- ¶10. Opinion piece by former Chilean Foreign Minister Hernan Felipe Errazuriz entitled "Alan and Evo: Maximum Tension" "Animosity between Peru and Bolivia continues to escalate.... It is worrisome that (Chilean) officials claim that we have the best relations in history with Bolivia while they are tense with Peru.... We are interested in both Peru and Bolivia being successful. Unfortunately this is not happening.... (El Mercurio, 6/20). Iran -------------- ¶11. Column by international pundit Libardo Buitrago, headlined "Iran: The Streets' Uproar" "Depending on how the Ayatollahs manage (the current situation) they will find out whether the Islamic Revolution is the target of the protests. By using rifle butts, bullets, and restrictions as means to stop the protests, they are only increasing them. They have chosen this path, the most risky one" (Diario Financiero, 6/22). SIMONS