This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS QUITO 001753
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, WHA, WHA/AND, WHA/PDA
DIRONDCP FOR PA
EMBASSIES FOR PAO/IO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPRC KIRC KPAO EC
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: ECUADORIAN RELATIONS WITH
VENEZUELA;LONDON TERRORIST ATTACKS
1. "A Ghost Named Chavez," a column (07/25) by Grace
Jaramillo in Quito's leading centrist "El Comercio"
(circ. 70,000)
Quote: "One week of debate over the pros and cons of
associating with Chavez. . . about how the risk that
getting closer to Chavez might distance us from the
U.S., is evidence of our deep provincialism in
international matters.
"The Venezuelan president is an excellent leftist. .
. at least, in his speeches. A more detailed
analysis of his administration reveals clearly that
his programs more resemble those of a populist
leadership from the beginning of the twentieth
century. . .than a leftist revolutionary government.
He has neither changed the structure of Venezuelan
production, nor has he distributed the wealth, and
his social programs. . . are merely patronizing
initiatives . which instead of empowering the poor,
legitimize the current conditions of paternalism and
dependence.
"The only revolutionary thing about Chavez is his
verbal confrontations with Washington, which is
really more intelligent when addressing the Latin
American masses and media than the approach of
declaring oneself `the best friend of the U.S.'. . .
"It is not easy to say all this. Many academics keep
quiet for the fear of being dubbed sacrilegious by
leftist hordes. . .
"What does Chavez want in South America? To buy
power via debt bonds (Argentina and Ecuador for now)
and to legitimize himself as the uncontestable leader
of the `Anti Imperialistic Latin American Left'. . .
2. "The Global Threat," an editorial (7/24) in
Quito's left, populist "La Hora" (circ. 120,000)
Quote: "The attacks in London-hit twice in less than
15 days-show that nothing stops terrorism. The fact
is that neither the invasion of Iraq, nor the
continued occupation of Afghanistan, has succeeded in
making the world a safer place to live.
. . . the key question is what do we have to do to
end terrorism aside from implementing security
measures? All security measures adopted will be
insufficient to thwart terrorist acts, if the causes
or pretexts behind them are not addressed as well."
3. "Against Terrorism, Justice," an opinion column
(07/23) by Xavier Cano in Guayaquil's conservative
"El Telegrafo" (circ. 8,000)
Quote: ". . . poverty, social exclusion, the lack of
education and the systematic humiliation of
impoverished people are the culture broth for the
surfacing of terrorism . . . [Tony Blair] stubbornly
denies any relationship between the London attacks
and the role of Great Britain in Iraq's invasion and
occupation. . .
". . . There isn't a cause in the world that would
justify terrorism. . . Terrorism is not just
disgusting, but also cowardly and miserable, but it
cannot be used as the pretext for repealing rights
and freedoms achieved over centuries. . ."
MEMMOTT