Cablegate: Media Report - Positive Coverage of U.S.-Chile Scholarship

VZCZCXYZ0009
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #1327 2252211
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 132211Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1983
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1791
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 3769
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 0460
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1490
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 5202
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 1741
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001327

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STATE FOR R, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC KIPR PGOV CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT - POSITIVE COVERAGE OF U.S.-CHILE SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM

1. SUMMARY: The Chilean media gave wide coverage to the
announcement by Secretary Rice and Foreign Minister Foxley in
Washington that 100 Chilean Ph.D. students will receive scholarships
to advance their studies in U.S. universities under a new
educational program. The local press highlighted the increased
access and opportunity for Chilean students to study at top-notch
U.S. universities in priority areas for Chile's future, such as
science and technology, environment, and public health. End
Summary.

"New Phase in the Relationship"
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2. Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley did a five-minute interview on
August 12 with Channel 7 "Mega Noticias" about the educational
accord he signed with Secretary Rice on August 8. Foxley said the
agreement marks a new phase in the relationship with the United
States. He praised the Secretary and the quick action (in 3 months)
to establish a scholarship program with many of the world's top 50
universities.

3. Foxley spoke highly of the opportunities open now to top Chilean
students, which will help Chile become a knowledge-based society.
Foxley emphasized that this program would give new prospects to
students who were unable to compete before because they did not have
sufficient English proficiency. He said it would give equal
opportunity to many bright students in the provinces and those with
lesser means.

4. The government-owned, editorially-independent "La Nacion" (circ.
6,000, 8/9) story, "Foxley and Rice Sign Education Agreement,"
quoted the Secretary: "The initiative is a sign of friendship
between both countries," and an effort to "help the development of
democratic peoples in the world.... Education is the force to
achieve economic and social justice in the world...."

5. "El Dia," regional La Serena daily (8/9) stated: "Chileans will
be able to study in the United States even if they don't speak
English. The Equal Opportunity Scholarship Program is intended to
help 100 graduate students."

6. The headline of independent, liberal on-line news service "El
Mostrador" (8/9) read: "Agreement Improves Access of Chileans to
U.S. Universities."

7. Leading dailies, "El Mercurio" and "La Tercera" reported on the
new educational program, but gave a higher profile to Foxley's
statements after the meeting. He announced that he and the
Secretary had discussed launching an agreement for the development

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of clean energy. Conservative, influential newspaper-of-record El
Mercurio(circ. 129,000, 8/9) ran two headlines: "Scholarships for
Graduate Studies" and "U.S. will Help Chile with Clean Fuels."

8. "La Tercera," conservative, independent (circ. 101,000, 8/9)
headlined: "Foxley and Rice Agree to Cooperate on Energy."
"Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Affairs Minister
Alejandro Foxley signed an agreement in Washington yesterday further
enabling Chilean graduate students to study at U.S. universities.
Both officials also agreed to promote cooperation in the area of
energy. Foxley said that the idea is to learn from the experience
and technological developments in the energy field."

YAMAUCHI

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