Cablegate: Media Reaction - International Criminal Court

VZCZCXYZ0016
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #2595 3631924
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291924Z DEC 05
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8141

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002595

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
(ICC)

On December 29, conservative, independent "La Tercera"
(circ. 102,000) carried a column by Flacso-Chile think-
tank director Claudio Fuentes entitled, "Chile and U.S.
Interests." Quote:

"The Senate's discussion and passage of the treaty
creating the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been
postponed.... Those who finally make the decision in
Chile on how to proceed must consider the following:
first, Chile's greatest foreign policy asset is the
strength of its respect for international law and
multilateral principles; second, many countries before
Chile have ratified the Rome Treaty without yielding to
U.S. pressure to grant its citizens special status....
Chile should appear in the company of those countries,
especially in Latin America; third, the possible
consequences are minor, amounting to USD15 million and
referring only to counter-terrorism, narcotics
trafficking, AIDS, and military educational exchange
programs. The U.S. is the country with the most to lose.
Southcom commander General Craddock said the U.S. was
losing contact and interoperability with a full
generation of officers just as China enters the region
due to this policy.... By rejecting U.S. demands for
immunity, Chile would strengthen its international
foreign policy stature. The White House should realize
that by respecting the position of its southern partner,
it would free itself of the negative consequences of
retaliation."

KELLY

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