Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO625
2009-07-07 15:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
CHILE MEDIA REPORT - JULY 7
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UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000625
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 - JULY 7
Leading Story
-------------
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000625
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 - JULY 7
Leading Story
--------------
1. The monthly Economic Activity Index, IMACEC, shows an economic
contraction of 4.4% in May compared to the same period in 2008.
Dailies also report there are 8,160 cases of AH1N1 in Chile, but
only 22 deaths. A team of experts from the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) from Atlanta will arrive in Chile in the coming days
to assess the handling of the epidemic.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. Secretary Hillary Clinton distinguished Chilean sociologist
Mariliana Morales with the "2009 Heroes in the Fight against
Trafficking in Persons" award. Morales heads an NGO in Costa Rica
that has turned into a worldwide model in the fight against sexual
trade and trafficking in persons. The foundation works with
government agencies and international labor organizations to set up
scholarships to help victims complete their elementary and middle
school education, learn a specific trade, and to provide them with
legal assistance (El Mercurio, conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record, Ya Magazine, 7/7).
3. The financial crisis and the murder of two Chilean students in
Pensacola who were on the "Work and Travel" program have led to a
drop in the number of students seeking jobs in the United States (El
Mercurio, 7/3).
Honduras
--------------
4. Honduran Ambassador Francisco Martinez said, "We believe we can
manage without the OAS," thereby defending the transition government
in his country. The Chilean Foreign Ministry was not happy with his
remarks. Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto Van Klaveren
reiterated Chile's position: "We will not have relations with the de
facto government and are suspending those relations in the public
arena." Van Klaveren said Martinez will be asked about his position
and if he considers himself a Micheletti representative, his status
as Ambassador will have to be reviewed and perhaps cancelled (El
Mercurio, 7/7).
5. Micheletti will send a delegation of congressmen to Washington,
hoping they can meet with U.S. congressmen. But diplomatic sources
said it's unlikely that this will happen, at least officially,
because any gesture could be interpreted as recognizing the de facto
government. OAS countries have been instructed to limit bilateral
relations to a minimum with Micheletti (La Tercera, conservative,
independent, 7/7).
ICC
---
6. Yesterday President Bachelet signed the law making Chile a party
to the Treaty of Rome which establishes the International Criminal
Court (ICC) (All dailies, 7/7).
Other Local
--------------
7. National Prosecutor Sabas Chahuan has banned the 665 Public
Ministry prosecutors and other officials from entering gaming
casinos and from any form of gambling (La Tercera, 7/7).
URBAN
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 - JULY 7
Leading Story
--------------
1. The monthly Economic Activity Index, IMACEC, shows an economic
contraction of 4.4% in May compared to the same period in 2008.
Dailies also report there are 8,160 cases of AH1N1 in Chile, but
only 22 deaths. A team of experts from the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) from Atlanta will arrive in Chile in the coming days
to assess the handling of the epidemic.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. Secretary Hillary Clinton distinguished Chilean sociologist
Mariliana Morales with the "2009 Heroes in the Fight against
Trafficking in Persons" award. Morales heads an NGO in Costa Rica
that has turned into a worldwide model in the fight against sexual
trade and trafficking in persons. The foundation works with
government agencies and international labor organizations to set up
scholarships to help victims complete their elementary and middle
school education, learn a specific trade, and to provide them with
legal assistance (El Mercurio, conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record, Ya Magazine, 7/7).
3. The financial crisis and the murder of two Chilean students in
Pensacola who were on the "Work and Travel" program have led to a
drop in the number of students seeking jobs in the United States (El
Mercurio, 7/3).
Honduras
--------------
4. Honduran Ambassador Francisco Martinez said, "We believe we can
manage without the OAS," thereby defending the transition government
in his country. The Chilean Foreign Ministry was not happy with his
remarks. Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto Van Klaveren
reiterated Chile's position: "We will not have relations with the de
facto government and are suspending those relations in the public
arena." Van Klaveren said Martinez will be asked about his position
and if he considers himself a Micheletti representative, his status
as Ambassador will have to be reviewed and perhaps cancelled (El
Mercurio, 7/7).
5. Micheletti will send a delegation of congressmen to Washington,
hoping they can meet with U.S. congressmen. But diplomatic sources
said it's unlikely that this will happen, at least officially,
because any gesture could be interpreted as recognizing the de facto
government. OAS countries have been instructed to limit bilateral
relations to a minimum with Micheletti (La Tercera, conservative,
independent, 7/7).
ICC
---
6. Yesterday President Bachelet signed the law making Chile a party
to the Treaty of Rome which establishes the International Criminal
Court (ICC) (All dailies, 7/7).
Other Local
--------------
7. National Prosecutor Sabas Chahuan has banned the 665 Public
Ministry prosecutors and other officials from entering gaming
casinos and from any form of gambling (La Tercera, 7/7).
URBAN