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Cablegate: Media Reaction -Ftaa

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002383

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, WHA/EPSC
STATE FOR INR/IAA, PM, INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI ETRD
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION -FTAA


On November 21, center-left "Diario Siete" (circ. 23,000)
carried an editorial entitled, "The Road to Free Trade."
Quote:

"A recent World Bank survey compared the growth of
`globalized' developing countries with `unglobalized'
ones.... Per capita growth in the first group was three
to four times higher than in the second.... In this
context it is a pity that we can still hear Latin
American voices opposing commercial integration for
ideological reasons based on opposition to the United
States.... A minimal degree of realism advises us to
remain open to the idea of a common market...to improve
the continent's ability to compete in global trade....
This means negotiating, removing obstacles, and rooting
out the idea that the only valid attitude toward the U.S.
is confrontation. One can reject the Bush government's
Iraq policy while generating conditions for trade with
the world's largest economy. This is what many Latin
American nations trying to establish bilateral agreements
with the U.S. have come to realize."

On November 21, conservative, independent "La Tercera"
(circ. 102,000) ran an article by Alvaro Vargas Llosa
entitled, "Dispute Between Fox and Chavez Reflects
Political Division in Latin America." Quote:
"The crisis between Mexico and Venezuela and their
presidents indicates the Cuba-Venezuela axis has opted to
take the offensive in view of a clear lack of
leadership...among countries supporting the U.S.-backed
Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).... Although the
only five regional countries-the four Mercosur members
and Venezuela-that oppose the FTAA are not in ideological
harmony, (Venezuelan President Hugo) Chavez has realized
the weak leadership among those closest to the United
States gives him an advantage."

KELLY

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