Media Report January 6

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000012 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: Media Report January 6 Lead Story ¶1. Chile's Central Bank reported a 3.1% increase in November 2009, in its Economic Activity Monthly Index (IMACEC.) This is the first monthly increase in a year, which raises the expectations about further expansion. Weisfeiler Case ¶2. The National Security Archive [Washington, D.C.-based non-governmental research institute] requested the Government of Chile to declassify the documents related to the disappearance of American citizen Boris Weisfeiler, who went missing on January 4, 1985 during the Pinochet regime. The petition -aimed at finding new leads in the ongoing judicial process initiated in 2000-was filed with Chile's Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of the Interior's Foreigners and Immigration Office, and Chilean Police "Carabineros." Olga Weisfeiler, his sister, noted that 25 years after her brother's disappearance she still hasn't received a response by the Chilean Government to her petition. (Conservative, independent La Tercera 1/6) Air Safety ¶3. President Obama admitted that U.S. intelligence services had sufficient information to prevent a terrorist attack on a commercial liner on Christmas Day, but did not know how to integrate it and use it appropriately. President Obama committed to take action with the "utmost urgency" in strengthening air safety and preventing further incidents. In Chile, the announcement about the implementation of tighter controls in U.S. airports raised dissimilar opinions. Chile's Air Federation Vice-president Tito Mu????oz noted that tougher security in the United States prevents the industry's further development, "Evidently, air business could be resented," he said. On the contrary, local commercial airline commented, "LAN complies rigorously with all requirements by the authorities in the countries it operates." IATA's branch office in Santiago agreed with the new regulations: "The TSA's January 3rd announcement... was received as a step in the right direction." (Conservative, newspaper-of-record El Mercurio, 1/6) Copper Miner's Strike ¶4. The workers on strike at Chile's state-owned Chuquicamata copper mine accepted the authorities' latest proposal and ended the work stoppage. The workers will receive a 4% wage increase and approximately USD 24,000 in benefits. SIMONS