CHILE MEDIA REPORT - AUGUST 7

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000757 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 - AUGUST 7 Lead Story -------------- ¶1. "Concertacion" presidential candidate Eduardo Frei outlined his political program to an exclusive group of entrepreneurs. One of the issues he emphasized was the need to assure a diversified energy matrix that must include nuclear energy, which he said is a "strategic" and "national security" issue (El Mercurio, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record, 8/7). U.S. military presence in Colombia -------------- ¶2. President Uribe's trip to the region to explain U.S. presence in Colombian military bases was a success. Most of the presidents with whom he met concluded that the agreement falls in the area of Colombia's "sovereign decisions." Brazilian president Lula da Silva had criticized the pact, but yesterday only expressed to Uribe his "concern." Colombian analyst Alfredo Rangel said that Uribe's trip was positive in that "it showed there is nothing to hide in the pact with Washington" therefore "neutralizing any suspicion." Ragel said that the succes of this trip, "where the majority of countries were respectful and understanding," is likely to result in an "acceptable resolution for Colombia," in the August 10 Unasur meeting (La Tercera, conservative, independent, 8/7). ¶3. Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva accepted Colombia's decision to allow the United States the use of Colombian military bases, as long as they are limited to Colombian territory. After the meeting of Presidents Lula da Silva and Uribe, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said, "the agreement is a matter that pertains to Colombia's sovereignty if and when it is limited to Colombian territory." Television network Globo (do Brazil) said that Lula had also asked Uribe for greater transparency in his negotiations with the Americans. It seems that Lula's concern is that other nations will invade the Amazon to exploit Brazil's natural resources. Of the countries Uribe visited, Peru was the most understanding and supportive of Colombia's decision. Argentinean President Christina Fernandez told Uribe that it was necessary to "lower the tone of conflict in the region," and that the "installation of bases did not serve that purpose." (El Mercurio, 8/7). ¶4. Andres Oppenheimer column, "New 'U.S. bases' in South America": "I was surprised when Colombian Foreign Minister (Jaime) Bermudez told me that Colombia and the United States were negotiating an agreement to increase U.S. military cooperation and that... in this case U.S. troops would not have their own bases.... 'These are bases operated by Colombians, where American personnel will have restricted access,' said Bermudez.... If this is true, as I suspect it is... Colombia has made a major mistake in how it has presented the whole issue. It should have labeled the agreement more accurately to prevent others from talking about 'U.S. bases' in Colombia.... Uribe should attend the meeting of South American nations on August 10 (Unasur).... There he could say, 'Fine, lets talks about all military agreements, including Venezuela's recent pact with Russia and Iran, or the massive presence of Cuban military advisors in Venezuela, or Venezuela and Ecuador's aid to the guerrilla in Colombia...' If South America wants a candid discussion on military agreement, it should focus on all the pacts that exist in the region, both public and secret" (El Mercurio, 8/7). ¶5. Editorial "President Uribe's diplomacy": "The statements by Chile's foreign minister show that Chile will maintain its traditional policy of non-interference with regard to the sovereign agreement reached by Colombia and the United States. This change in what the president (Bachelet) said in Brazil could be the result of appeasing information provided by Uribe about the agreement and with regard to the FARC's new interference and the severity of narcotics trafficking Mexico.... The controversy over this negotiation will continue... but the information that the United States and Colombia provide could help Unasur make a more balanced analysis of the facts and help dissipate mistrust" (El Mercurio, 8/7). Digital Television -------------- ¶6. The Chief of Staff of Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Dilma Rousseff, said that in Brazil the Chilean President had informed her of Santiago's decision to use the Japanese ISDB adapted standard for digital television (Diario Financiero, business and financial, 8/7). ¶7. Editorial: "President Obama's Six Months in Office." "President Obama has shown admirable political leadership and courage by financing a necessary reform at great risk for his country amid an economic crisis.... But he will have to change his strategy.... The President has promised the country an unreachable reform (greater health coverage at a lower cost) and delegated too much responsibility in its design.... He will have to accept a more active participation from others and make decision that will compromise his political capital that will lower his still very high popularity, at least in the short-term" (La Segunda, conservative, afternoon daily, 8/6). SIMONS