Cablegate: Chile Media Reaction - Iraq

VZCZCXYZ0020
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #2587 3521846
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181846Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0572

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002587

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/IR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER IZ IR CI
SUBJECT: CHILE MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ

1. On December 18, business and financial "Diario Financiero" (circ.
30,000) carried a column by international commentator Libardo
Buitrago entitled "Iraq: Peace Options." Quote:

"It took President Bush three years...to realize that the war in
Iraq cannot be separated from the regional context.... The Baker
Commission concluded that the complex equation today must include
Syria and Iran.... To realists, Iran and Syria are potential allies
in the stabilization of Iraq; to many Republicans that would mean
yielding to terrorists. Bush does not need to implement what the
(commission) report recommends, but it does offer him a chance to
correct the path of his unsuccessful war strategy -- one that
already has cost him an unprecedented decrease in popularity and a
tough electoral defeat in Congress, and could cost his party the
2008 Presidential election."

KELLY

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