CHILEAN PRESIDENT BACHELET VISITS HONDURAS

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000100

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD EFIN EAID KCRM KJUS PGOV HO
SUBJECT: CHILEAN PRESIDENT BACHELET VISITS HONDURAS


1. (U) Amid substantial fanfare, Chilean President Michelle
Bachelet made a mostly-commercial visit to Honduras designed
to expand ties and cooperation between the two countries.
She was accompanied by Chilean businesspeople, members of the
Chilean Parliament, cultural figures, FM Alejandro Foxley,
Minister of Culture Paulina Urrutia, Minister of Agriculture
Marigen Hornkohl, and Minister of Labor Claudia Serrano. Her
one day visit had many stops. She visited a private
University and then, accompanied by the First Lady, went to a
"soup kitchen" and met a group of poor women who had started
their own successful micro enterprises. Later she addressed
a group of Honduran and Chilean businesspeople, where she
made many positive comments about free trade, but also
commented that she was worried that countries would impose
measures to protect their own products and markets in
response to the global market downturn. Bachelet met with
the Mayor of Tegucigalpa and received the keys to the city.
She was also welcomed by President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya and
offered a gala ceremony at the Presidential Palace, where
Zelaya commented on Bachelet's history as an advocate for
human rights. At the ceremony, she signed two agreements --
one between the two countries' state scientific councils and
the other between their Ministries' of Foreign Affairs
Diplomatic schools. Bachelet also offered increased
cooperation to the GOH in matters related to security,
scholarships and fighting drug trafficking. (Note: To date,
over 50 Honduran police have been trained at the Chilean
police academy, and Bachelet's statements might mean this
number could increase dramatically over the next year. End
Note.)


2. (U) During the press conference at the Presidential
Palace, one journalist asked why Bachelet was not meeting
with dissidents during her visit to Cuba, to where she was
traveling after Honduras. Her evasive response revolved
around protocol issues and sticking to the schedule that was
designed for her.


3. (SBU) Comment: The visit received substantial press
coverage. Discussions on increasing assistance for security
and against drug trafficking appeared to be the most
substantive issue. Bachelet,s broad message was positive.
She discussed the importance of democracy and discussed the
upcoming elections in both countries. On economic policy,
she stressed that governments, business, organized labor and
civil society must work together in a national effort to
confront the international financial crisis. End Comment.
LLORENS