INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Media Reaction - Positive Coverage of Wha a/S Shannon's

Published: Thu 26 Apr 2007 09:35 PM
VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSG #0686/01 1162135
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 262135Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1411
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1706
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 3598
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 0237
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1359
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 5042
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 1680
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000686
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM, INL
STATE FOR INR/R/MR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PGOV ETRD CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - POSITIVE COVERAGE OF WHA A/S SHANNON'S
REMARKS IN CHILE
1. Summary: Santiago dailies gave prominent coverage to WHA A/S
Thomas Shannon at a press roundtable on April 26. The press
highlighted his remarks about Chile's ability to promote dialogue
and cooperation, "build bridges" in the region, and its linkages to
other economies in Asia and North America. Answering questions
about President Bachelet's declining popularity, A/S Shannon
underscored Chile's accomplishments, including its advanced
investment climate, its rule of law, and mechanisms to resolve
conflicts. Several dailies noted the excellent state of the
U.S.-Chile relationship and that the United States "fully respects
Chile's handling of its relations with Venezuela." The media also
highlighted his optimism about the future of the Americas. End
Summary.
2. "El Mercurio," conservative, influential newspaper-of-record
(circ. 129,000) headline: "Thomas Shannon Highlights Chile's Role
in the Region and is Optimistic about Latin America's Future."
3. "For Washington, Chile has a leadership role in the Pacific and
is exercising its diplomacy actively and positively," said Assistant
Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon.
SIPDIS
"President Bachelet has a very important presence in the region,
which was obvious in her visit to Venezuela and also in her meetings
with several presidents, which shows a very active diplomacy....
But what is most interesting from our viewpoint is that Chile is a
leader in building bridges with the more dynamic economies of Asia
and North America.... The important thing in the region is to open
space for dialogue and cooperation. In this regard, Chile's role
has been important because it seeks consensus and understands how
democracy can be successful with a social agenda."
4. Shannon also said the United States "fully respects the way in
which Chile is handling its relations with Venezuela." On former
President Lagos' remarks about "Chavismo" and his big checkbook, the
Assistant Secretary said, "Lagos is a man with much experience and
wisdom who understands the region very well, so when he speaks I
listen and learn."
5. Highlighted quote: "Since Bachelet took office, we've taken
important steps to strengthen our excellent bilateral relation."
6. "La Tercera," conservative, independent (circ. 101,000)
headlined: "Shannon Reiterates Support for Uribe."
7. Assistant Secretary Thomas Shannon highlighted what Colombian
President Alvaro Uribe has accomplished rather than the scandal over
his ties to paramilitary forces. Shannon said Uribe has
accomplished important things, "such as recapturing territory from
the guerilla and beginning the demilitarization process of the
paramilitaries." He emphasized that the information about the
paramilitary scandal has been made known as part of an ongoing
investigation where charges have been filed against those
responsible. The Assistant Secretary also said Latin America is "an
effervescent region with which the United States wants to
cooperate."
8. "La Nacion, government-owned, editorially independent (circ.
4,200): "Shannon: The Region is on the Right Path"
9. Assistant Secretary Thomas Shannon expressed optimism about the
region's future. "I believe the region is on the right path. Of
course there are specific problems among countries, which are
normal...." The important thing is the way in which countries
resolve those problems," he said. Shannon underscored that
Washington is willing to assist Ecuador, which is looking for ways
to perfect its democracy. About Chile he said, "If there is
something that truly defines the relationship between the United
States and Chile, it is a deep respect for what Chile has
accomplished, politically, economically, and socially."
10. Highlighted quote: "The important thing is to not focus on
particular occurrences such as 'Chavismo,' but rather on
strengthening cooperation among nations," said Shannon.
11. Conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (4/25, circ. 33,000):
Assistant Secretary Thomas Shannon described the U.S.-Chile
bilateral relationship as "useful and fruitful" and said that since
President Bachelet took office, "important steps have been taken to
make those ties even more stable." Shannon said Bachelet has shown
a "consistent and intelligent policy with the United States."
12. "The Santiago Times" (English language on-line service)
reported: "A/S Shannon addressed broader trends in Latin America
and argued that strengthening the region's democratic institutions
was his primary concern. "The region is on the right path. It is a
region that is open to democracy, but we must now try and see how we
can strengthen democratic institutions so that Latin American are
not just political citizens, but also citizens in a social and
economic sense.
13. We have to show that democracy is worth the effort," said
Shannon. "And we have to make sure that governments in the region
can create jobs." When asked about the strong anti-Americanism that
stretches form the Canadian artic to the Chilean Patagonia, Shannon
said the best way to improve the perception of the U.S. was to
maintain involvement in the region. "Our experience is that our
image improves whenever we are in a country and working."
14. As the conversation shifted to Chile's relationship with the
United States, Shannon had nothing but praise. "We have a great
relationship with Chile, and since President Bachelet came to power
we have taken steps to enhance that relationship. Bachelet has been
very helpful in helping us understand the social climate in Latin
America. Our countries have a common understanding of how democracy
works and how economic policies can be used to enhance democratic
participation," said the diplomat.
KELLY
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media