Media Report January 21

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000060 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 21 Secretary Clinton-Chile ¶1. "Hillary Clinton Phones Pi????era and Presidents Confirm Attendance to Inauguration" Even though on Tuesday (President-elect) Sebastian Pi????era received a greeting letter from the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the new President yesterday to congratulate him on his election. Meanwhile, yesterday, presidents of Argentina Cristina Fernandez and Uruguay's Fernando Lugo confirmed their attendance to the March 11 inauguration. In his talks with foreign Heads of State, Pi????era also invited the presidents of Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, who are very likely to attend. Mexican Felipe Calderon's presence is still unknown. (Conservative, independent La Tercera, 1/21) Chavez-Pi????era ¶2. Only 72 hours after Sebastian Pi????era's election, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made his first statement about Pi????era. In a warning tone, Chavez responded to President-elect Pi????era's comments Monday, in which he stated having strong discrepancies with Venezuela. "There are deep differences in terms of how democracy is understood and practiced; the way in which the economic model is developed, and much more," asserted Pi????era. During an event in Caracas, Chavez said: "The least we can ask is respect for the Venezuelan sovereign people... Let us not get involved with the Chileans, and have the new Chilean Government stay away from us... I expect Mr. Pi????era not to intend transforming Chile into another platform of attack against Venezuela... I call on you to focus on governing and doing what you should do." In addition, he commented that Pi????era's victory was based on an "offensive" from the right to "restore" the neoliberal project driven by the United States within the Hemisphere. (Conservative, newspaper-of-record, El Mercurio, 1/21) ¶3. Article by Washington correspondent Alvaro Vargas Llosa on President Chavez' remarks criticizing President-elect Pi????era: "Sources close to the President-elect said that they would avoid responding to these kinds of attacks, while they would continue to establish a clear stance on international issues... In Washington's case, many things could be reproached to the Bush Administration, but the line followed by Tom Shannon during the past two years was clever: it consisted in ignoring Chavez' bravados while attempting to strengthen its relations with the center-left and center-right. Nothing would isolate Chavez more than seeing Pi????era... become involved with the rest of Latin American countries and Spain's Zapatero." (La Tercera, 1/21) Haiti ¶4. Local coverage on Haiti focused on the rescue efforts and the finding of people alive under the rubble. ¶5. "Rescue Workers Run against Time in Search for the Few Life Miracles Still Emerging in Haiti" The story also highlighted State Department Greg Adams' phone briefing with Latin American media yesterday: "We are committed with the people of Haiti in the long-term," said Adams. He also noted that in spite of the fact that the U.S. troops will stay on the island "the least time possible" due to their "other commitments" in Iraq and Afghanistan "we will not leave Haiti shortly. We are here to stay." Greg Adams was also quoted saying that the United States "is ready" to assist the Haitian Government. "If they need observers for when the elections take place, assist on security, we will help, but that is a decision for Haiti and not the United States,' he noted. (El Mercurio, 1/21) ¶6. "Surprising Rescue of People Alive Under the Ruins One Week After the Earthquake" (La Tercera, 1/21) ¶7. "Incipient Haitian Political System Sees Elections Postponed for a Year" (El Mercurio, 1/21) ¶8. "U.S. Promises More Soldiers, while Hospital Ship Tends First Patients" (Government-owned, but editorially independent, La Nacion, 1/21) URBAN