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Viewing cable 06SANTIAGO1196, MEDIA REACTION - UNITED NATIONS AND CHILEAN VOTE

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06SANTIAGO1196 2006-05-31 20:54 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Santiago
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #1196 1512054
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 312054Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9315
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0960
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001196 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI VE
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - UNITED NATIONS AND CHILEAN VOTE 
 
 
1. On May 30, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 102,000) 
carried an editorial entitled, "Chile and its Vote in the (U.N.) 
Security Council."  Quote: 
 
"The decision is complex for the (Chilean) Executive for two 
reasons; first, because preventing Venezuela from becoming a Council 
member has become an important White House political goal in Latin 
America; and second, because Venezuela...holds key strategic 
elements for Chile, especially with respect to its energy supply.... 
Choosing either front over the other...could entail significant 
external and internal costs for Chile.  Caracas' gas and oil 
reserves mean it has much to say about any type of South American 
energy plan...but it is also true that Chavez...could hardly 
represent the region in the UNSC.  But synchronicity between La 
Moneda and the White House is also a fact, which--except for the 
impasse over the 2003 invasion of Iraq--has been reflected in 
Chile's international stances on security and politics and in the 
promotion of a successful FTA....  Chile must not lose this 
political and economic capital, which on another level relates to 
the legitimacy of its political and economic models." 
 
2. On May 28, "La Tercera" column by conservative Libertad y 
Desarrollo think tank's Cristian Larroulet entitled, "Bachelet vs. 
Chavez."  Quote: 
 
"Populism has returned to Latin America and its star is Hugo 
Chavez...who financed Argentina's debt in 2005...and handed Cuba 
100,000 barrels a day of practically free oil....  Chavez' 
projection is dangerous not just for those countries directly 
involved but for the rest of Latin America and Chile... (Chile's) 
main task is to continue as an example...of austerity and not fall 
to populism.  This will allow President Bachelet to contribute to 
development in Chile and in Latin America, accentuating the 
differences with Chavez' populism." 
 
3. On May 30 "La Tercera" column by journalist Jose Rodriguez 
Elizondo entitled, "Bush Against Bachelet."  Quote: 
 
"After his defeat in Chile on the 'approve-my-war-against-Iraq' 
theme George W. Bush strikes again.  Now...he is planning to demand 
solidarity from Michelle Bachelet to thwart Hugo Chavez' efforts to 
join the UN Security Council....  But things are not the same. 
Then, Bush was at the peak of his power...while today his approval 
rating is at its minimum, he has two years left in office, Iraq has 
become a Vietnam, he has consolidated the world's dislike and the 
Chavez 'issue' is less dramatic than a misguided war....  From a 
Chilean point of view, former President Ricardo Lagos' decision on 
Iraq marked his most glorious international moment...  Furthermore, 
Washington is not at the point of jumping from reiterated praise (of 
Chile) to spiteful repudiation due to a third party far from the 
bilateral relationship.  In addition, while European leaders would 
not slit their wrists for Chavez, they would not welcome Chile as a 
(U.S.) lackey, either....  Our President could promote consensus 
among her counterparts in the region, beginning with Brazil and 
Argentina and then Mexico and Colombia. ....  This way Bush could 
not react angrily against Chile and much less against other nations 
in the region that are demographically and geopolitically more 
powerful." 
 
KELLY