Santiago October 6 Media Report

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000962 SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL SNAR EFIN CI SUBJECT: Santiago October 6 Media Report Lead Story -------------- ¶1. Chile ranked first in Latin America and 44th globally in the United Nations Development Program index on human development. The ranking includes variables such as life expectancy (78.5 years),per capita GDP, and access to HEALTH and education. Social and gender inequity were two variables that undermined Chile's evaluation. Norway ranked first (Conservative, independent La Tercera, 10/6). Salitre Exercise -------------- ¶2. Bolivian Defense Minister Walker San Miguel met yesterday with his Chilean counterpart Francisco Vidal and Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez. ONE topic of discussion was the "Salitre" exercise that the Chilean Air Force will conduct in the north at the end of October with the United States, France, Brazil, and Argentina. While Peru has labeled the exercise "offensive" and turned down an invitation to send observer, the Bolivian minister yesterday toned down the controversy. "All military exercises are based on the theory of conflict, but the situation in the region shows that we are today at a different moment in time and from that viewpoint we see no reason for concern," he said. San Miguel also informed his counterpart that Bolivia had accepted Chile's invitation and would send observers to the exercise. "From the viewpoint of mutual trust, these joint exercises with other countries are positive," said San Miguel. The Bolivian minister also marked a difference with Peru regarding an alleged arms race in the region. "While for some there could be a restart of an arms race, for us it involves renewal of material.... Bolivia is not a threat for anyone nor feels threatened by anyone," he concluded (El Mercurio, 10/6). ¶3. Bolivia will send observers to the "Salitre" exercise, a notable difference with Peru. "We are moving forward on a positive 13-point agenda that is beginning to yield its first results," said Bolivian Defense Minister San Miguel. Chilean Defense Minister Vidal commented yesterday, "From Chile's viewpoint there is no controversy. The exercise will take place as scheduled.... The goal is to prepare pilots to operate with United Nations in peace operations anywhere in the world," said Vidal. He also said that defense relations with Peru are "good" and that proof of this is that both countries have conducted 40 joint air force activities this year, which by December will have totaled 64. As to the invitation, Vidal said, "We invited everyone ... as a maximum sign of transparency" (Government-owned La Nacion, 10/6). U.S.-Related News -------------- ¶4. A NASA delegation will arrive in Punta Arenas to start gathering data on the ice sheets in Antarctica. This data is now collected by the ICESat satellite, which will cease operations soon and will not be replaced before 2014 (La Tercera, 10/6). ¶5. The U.S. Embassy is holding a video contest. The challenge is to create a three-minute video that completes the phrase "Democracy is..." The winner will travel to Washington, D.C., New York, and Hollywood with all expenses paid (La Nacion, 10/6). ¶6. Harley Shaiken, of the University of California in Berkley, said Chile has three key elements which give it a "unique potential" to develop renewable energy: resources, the Atacama Desert, and the political will and sophistication. Shaiken said also that the Obama administration and the region should focus their relations the development of renewable energy and ways to fight climate SIMONS