(U) KUDOS FOR SANTIAGO 000877 (C-AL9-02264)

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 111280

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2034
TAGS: PINR PGOV CI
SUBJECT: (U) KUDOS FOR SANTIAGO 000877 (C-AL9-02264)

REF: SANTIAGO 000877

Classified By: ELISSA G. PITTERLE, DIRECTOR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (C/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS WISH TO THANK POST FOR
REFTEL, WHICH PROVIDED TIMELY INSIGHTS INTO THE CHILEAN
PRESIDENTIAL RACE. WE ARE INCREASINGLY INTERESTED IN
INFORMATION REGARDING THE CAMPAIGNS OF CHILEAN POLITICAL
PLAYERS IN THE RUNUP TO THE DECEMBER 2010 PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS AND REFTEL PROVIDED USEFUL ON-THE-GROUND CONTEXT
WITH WHICH TO INFORM OUR ANALYSIS.


2. (C/NF) PARTICULARLY HELPFUL WAS THE RECAP OF THE
SEPTEMBER CEP POLL SHOWING THE TOP THREE CANDIDATES' STANDING
AT THE TIME. WE CONTINUE TO CLOSELY FOLLOW WHERE THE
CANDIDATES STAND AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND THIS INFORMATION WAS
VERY HELPFUL GIVEN THAT THE NEXT CEP POLL IS NOT DUE OUT
UNTIL NEXT MONTH.


3. (C/NF) ALSO HELPFUL WAS THE MENTION OF MARCO
ENRIQUEZ-OMINAMI AS A FACTOR IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.
WE ARE INCREASINGLY ASKED TO ADDRESS WHETHER ENRIQUEZ-OMINAMI
WILL CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTIONS AND IT IS HELPFUL TO
HAVE POST'S INSIGHT THAT HE IS STILL A LONG-SHOT IN THE
ELECTION, BUT IS HAVING AN EFFECT ON THE CAMPAIGNS.


4. (C/NF) WE LOOK FORWARD TO ADDITIONAL REPORTING AS TIME
AND RESOURCES ALLOW.
CLINTON