Cablegate: Media Reaction - Cuba: Castro Transition

VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #1654 2141906
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021906Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9727
INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0035

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001654

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KPAO KMDR PHUM PGOV CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - CUBA: CASTRO TRANSITION

1. On August 2, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ.
102,000) carried an editorial "The Awaited and Complex Cuban
Transition." Quote:

"It is in everyone's interest...for the transition in Cuba to be as
non-traumatic as possible.... The United States and the
international community should let the process take its own course
and try not to push and pull. Washington's unsuccessful policies
toward Cuba have five decades of history. Let us hope that some
lessons have been learned."

2. On August 2, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El
Mercurio" (circ. 116,807) carried an editorial entitled "Fidel
Castro and his Delegating Power." Quote:

"It is too soon and would be speculation to anticipate what will
happen when Fidel Castro leaves power for good.... However, his
permanent absence is likely to increase the possibility of revenge,
internal problems, as well as the opportunity for some form of
transition to democracy. In both cases, the Cuban army's control
and the policy the U.S. chooses to implement will be crucial....
The pressure from anti-Castro groups in Miami on different U.S.
administrations has had minimal impact on Cuba's affairs and created
a strong internal resistance that, in the end, only helped Castro.
Hopefully these bad experiences will not occur again. Cuba's future
is a matter that concerns Cubans only."

KELLY

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