Santiago Feb. 9 Media Report

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000194 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 Feb. 9 Media Report Lead Story ¶1. President-elect Pi????era will announce his cabinet today at the History Museum (government headquarter until 1845). Among the possible cabinet members is Lagos' former defense minister Jaime Ravinet, of the Christian Democratic Party. Sources said the cabinet will incorporate six women (Conservative, independent La Tercera, 2/9). Local Politics ¶2. The disagreement continues between Concertacion and opposition officials over the formula chosen by Pi????era with regard to Chilevision television station. Pi????era will transfer his shares - he owns 100% of the station - to a non-profit foundation to administer them. He will, however, retain full ownership. Pi????era will name the foundation's board and chairman (Government-owned La Nacion, 2/9). ¶3. Human rights organizations expressed concern with regard to the recent appointment of the new Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Christian Le Dantec. Yesterday, Supreme Court Justice Hector Solis explained that Le Dantec had testified voluntarily twice in court and only as a witness in a case dating to 1973, adding that there are no charges against him (Conservative, influential newspaper-of-record El Mercurio 2/9). Science ¶4. NASA glaciologist Jay Zwally praised President Obama's announcement to freeze manned missions to the moon and Mars and renew interest in Earth sciences. "It is great news that climate is now a priority," said Zwally. The NASA expert is in Valdivia, southern Chile, attending a conference. "Mars is very important for the space program and the goal is to take people there," he said, but added, "resources for new missions have been practically frozen for eight years" (El Mercurio, 2/9). (PA program). URBAN