Cablegate: Media Reaction - Chavez, Chile, and Bachelet

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DE RUEHSG #0624 1072002
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 172002Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1349
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1699
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 3586
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 0222
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1348

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000624

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TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO KIPR PGOV PREL VE CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - CHAVEZ, CHILE, AND BACHELET

1. On April 17, business and financial "Diario Financiero" (circ.
30,000) carried an editorial entitled "Problems with Venezuela."
Quotes:

"The new diplomatic impasse in which Chile finds itself due to
President Hugo Chavez's statements against the Chilean
Senate...confirms how imprudent it would have been to vote for that
country in the UNSC. It also poses an important challenge for
international organizations such as the OAS, because of the almost
unlimited power Chavez is acquiring in his country and the degree of
interventionism he is exerting in the rest of the continent."

2. On April 16, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ. 33,000)
carried an editorial entitled, "Trip to Venezuela." Quote:

"Michelle Bachelet has responded with severity and determination in
this situation, complying with her constitutional obligations. We
assume she will do the same in Venezuela. Furthermore, what has
happened (with Chavez) has helped to clarify... the risks and
conflicts that the Chavista regime's regional policy entails, if
there was ever any question about this."

KELLY

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