Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO78
2009-01-23 15:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
CHILE MEDIA REPORT - JANUARY 23
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UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000078
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 - JANUARY 23
Leading Stories
---------------
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000078
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 - JANUARY 23
Leading Stories
--------------
1. Chilean dailies highlighted the detention of the former National
Registry Service Director for mismanagement and embezzlement; the
more than 40% rate reduction for calls to cell phones; and the
violent attack of an estate in the indigenous Mapuche area in
southern Chile.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. Articles highlighted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's
confirmation and her remarks at the State Department building:
"Hillary Announces 'New Era' in Diplomacy and Obama Commits to the
Middle East" (El Mercurio, conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record, circ. 129,000, 1/23); "Hillary Arrives at the
State Department" (La Tercera, conservative, independent, circ.
101,000, 1/23); "Hillary Announces 'New Era' in her Country" (La
Nacion, government-owned, editorially independent, circ. 4,200,
1/23).
3. In remarks to the media after receiving an award in London as
"The Best Central Bank President in Latin America for 2008," Chile's
Central Bank Chairman Jose de Gregorio commented on President
Obama's Inauguration: "We have good relations (with the United
States) and there is no reason for thinking that, from an economic
perspective, they could be damaged. Undoubtedly, they must be
maintained." Chairman de Gregorio ruled out the possibility of
President Obama reviewing the bilateral Free Trade Agreement with
Chile and noted: "It would be a big mistake to start moving along
the path of protectionism today" (Diario Financiero, business and
financial, circ. 30,000, 1/23; Estrategia, business and financial
daily, circ. 30,000, 1/23).
4. Interview with two Chilean economists who are working in
Washington with international financial organizations and their
assessment and expectations of the Obama Administration. Mario
Marcel, Institutional and Financial Capacity Manager at the
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): "Confronting the Crisis
Should Become Obama's Priority." Dante Contreras, Executive
Director for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay
at the World Bank: "The Party is Over and it is Time to Work"
(Diario Financiero, 1/23).
5. Wal-Mart successfully completed the acquisition of 55% of
Chilean retailer D&S' shares. Craig Herkert, Wal-Mart's Chairman
and CEO for the Americas, is expected to arrive in Chile on
Wednesday, January 28 (El Mercurio, conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record, circ. 129,000, 1/23).
Local
--------------
6. Six hooded individuals attacked an estate near Temuco in Chile's
southern Region Nine (within the indigenous Mapuche area),causing
$900 million pesos (approximately US$1.5 million dollars) in
damages. The group set fire to a house and forestry equipment.
This is the fourth similar assault in a month. Acting Minister of
the Interior Patricio Rosende characterized the attack as "one of
the worst in recent months." The business association in Region
Nine accused the Government of acting with "blunt negligence" and
blamed the police for not anticipating "reiterated terrorist
activities" (El Mercurio, 1/23).
Editorials
--------------
7. Opinion piece by international pundit Raul Sohr, "Obama Promises
a Green Presidency" "Compared with President George W. Bush's
Administration, there is a drastic change in language. The previous
Administration maintained a skeptical stance about climate change.
The White House rejected signing the Kyoto Protocol.... One of the
(Obama) Administration's priorities is to stop job losses resulting
from the economic crisis. Non-Conventional Renewable Energies are a
source of employment.... In any case, a four-year term is too short
to launch an energy and industrial reform. In order to be able to
get a taste of success, the foundations of change should be built
starting from the very first days of the Administration" (La Nacion,
government-owned, editorially independent, circ. 4,200, 1/23).
SIMONS
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 - JANUARY 23
Leading Stories
--------------
1. Chilean dailies highlighted the detention of the former National
Registry Service Director for mismanagement and embezzlement; the
more than 40% rate reduction for calls to cell phones; and the
violent attack of an estate in the indigenous Mapuche area in
southern Chile.
U.S.-Related News
--------------
2. Articles highlighted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's
confirmation and her remarks at the State Department building:
"Hillary Announces 'New Era' in Diplomacy and Obama Commits to the
Middle East" (El Mercurio, conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record, circ. 129,000, 1/23); "Hillary Arrives at the
State Department" (La Tercera, conservative, independent, circ.
101,000, 1/23); "Hillary Announces 'New Era' in her Country" (La
Nacion, government-owned, editorially independent, circ. 4,200,
1/23).
3. In remarks to the media after receiving an award in London as
"The Best Central Bank President in Latin America for 2008," Chile's
Central Bank Chairman Jose de Gregorio commented on President
Obama's Inauguration: "We have good relations (with the United
States) and there is no reason for thinking that, from an economic
perspective, they could be damaged. Undoubtedly, they must be
maintained." Chairman de Gregorio ruled out the possibility of
President Obama reviewing the bilateral Free Trade Agreement with
Chile and noted: "It would be a big mistake to start moving along
the path of protectionism today" (Diario Financiero, business and
financial, circ. 30,000, 1/23; Estrategia, business and financial
daily, circ. 30,000, 1/23).
4. Interview with two Chilean economists who are working in
Washington with international financial organizations and their
assessment and expectations of the Obama Administration. Mario
Marcel, Institutional and Financial Capacity Manager at the
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): "Confronting the Crisis
Should Become Obama's Priority." Dante Contreras, Executive
Director for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay
at the World Bank: "The Party is Over and it is Time to Work"
(Diario Financiero, 1/23).
5. Wal-Mart successfully completed the acquisition of 55% of
Chilean retailer D&S' shares. Craig Herkert, Wal-Mart's Chairman
and CEO for the Americas, is expected to arrive in Chile on
Wednesday, January 28 (El Mercurio, conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record, circ. 129,000, 1/23).
Local
--------------
6. Six hooded individuals attacked an estate near Temuco in Chile's
southern Region Nine (within the indigenous Mapuche area),causing
$900 million pesos (approximately US$1.5 million dollars) in
damages. The group set fire to a house and forestry equipment.
This is the fourth similar assault in a month. Acting Minister of
the Interior Patricio Rosende characterized the attack as "one of
the worst in recent months." The business association in Region
Nine accused the Government of acting with "blunt negligence" and
blamed the police for not anticipating "reiterated terrorist
activities" (El Mercurio, 1/23).
Editorials
--------------
7. Opinion piece by international pundit Raul Sohr, "Obama Promises
a Green Presidency" "Compared with President George W. Bush's
Administration, there is a drastic change in language. The previous
Administration maintained a skeptical stance about climate change.
The White House rejected signing the Kyoto Protocol.... One of the
(Obama) Administration's priorities is to stop job losses resulting
from the economic crisis. Non-Conventional Renewable Energies are a
source of employment.... In any case, a four-year term is too short
to launch an energy and industrial reform. In order to be able to
get a taste of success, the foundations of change should be built
starting from the very first days of the Administration" (La Nacion,
government-owned, editorially independent, circ. 4,200, 1/23).
SIMONS