VZCZCXYZ0023
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSG #0020/01 0092139
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 092139Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2624
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000020
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PGOV KIPR ECON CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: AMBASSADOR SIMONS' PRESENTATION OF
CREDENTIALS AND FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE
1. Summary: Ambassador Simons highlighted the solid U.S.-Chile
relationship during a press conference at the Embassy following his
presentation of credentials to President Bachelet at La Moneda
Palace on January 8. Chilean media on January 9 highlighted the
Ambassador's remarks in headlines such as: "Chile Continues to be a
Star in Latin America," "New Ambassador Praises Solid Chilean
Institutions," "Intellectual Property on the Radar Screen of New
U.S. Ambassador," "Relations with Chile are Among the Best in the
Hemisphere," and "Simons Offers Energy Cooperation." The press
coverage was notable given competing news stories about the six GOC
cabinet changes. End Summary.
2. Chile's media (TV, radio, print, and on-line news services)
reported extensively on Ambassador Paul Simons' presentation of
credentials at La Moneda Palace on January 8 and his subsequent
press conference:
3. The conservative, influential newspaper-of-record (circ.
129,000) "El Mercurio" cited the Ambassador in its front page
"Quote-of-the-Day": "Chile continues to be one of the 'stars' in
Latin America," Paul Simons -- the new U.S. Ambassador to Chile --
said yesterday while highlighting the country's attractiveness to
foreign investment."
4. In a full-length article, "El Mercurio" headlined: "U.S.
Ambassador Outlines Work Plan" Drug trafficking, financial crimes
and energy are among his priorities."
5. "In perfect Spanish and sure of himself he faced his first
meeting with the media. He outlined his upcoming work in Chile.
There are some issues of continuity such as cooperating in the fight
against drug trafficking and financial crimes. He will also address
pending FTA issues, specifically one as thorny as intellectual
property....
6. On the political front, Paul Simons subtly supported La Moneda
when he said: "Chile continues to be the most attractive country in
the region to foreign investment in Latin America." And he
reiterated that "Chile continues to be one of the 'stars' in Latin
America, and fortunately now we have the free trade agreement
platform." He previously was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State for Energy, Sanctions, and Commodities. He voiced his
interest in learning about Chile's goals on the energy issue and
underlined that both Chile and the United States share similar
criteria on this matter.
7. The article from "Emol" (El Mercurio's online news service)
headlined: "U.S. Ambassador: Chile Continues to Be One of the Stars
in Latin America."
8. Conservative, independent (circ. 101,000) "La Tercera" reported:
"President (Bachelet) Receives Visit of New U.S. Ambassador." "The
new U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons presented President
Bachelet his credentials during a meeting that was also attended by
Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley. Later, when asked at a press
conference about possible U.S.-Chile energy cooperation, Simons said
that both countries share challenges and that "there are a series of
concepts that we use in the United States.... We can explore if
there are areas in which we could share our experiences with
Chile."
9. "La Tercera online" news service story read: "New U.S.
Ambassador Highlights Strength of Chilean Institutions."
10. "La Nacion" government-owned, editorially independent (circ.
4,200) used the headline: "New U.S. Ambassador Presented His
Credentials to President Michelle Bachelet: Simons Offers Energy
Cooperation to Chile." The diplomat not only characterized the
country as one of the 'stars' in Latin America for attracting
foreign investment, but also showed himself willing to share with
the private sector and the Chilean government the U.S. experience on
energy matters.
11. "Estrategia" business and financial daily (circ. 30,000)
focused on IPR: "Intellectual Property on the New U.S. Ambassador's
Radar Screen." "The diplomat said that besides developing more
trade ties, IPR would be a focus during his tenure. I do believe
that there are many sectors whose innovation requires high levels of
protection.... It is very important that our two countries share
the vision of being knowledge-based nations."
12. Business and financial (circ. 30,000) "Diario Financiero"
headlined: "U.S. Ambassador Highlights Chile's Good Reputation."
After presenting President Michelle Bachelet his credentials, the
U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons held his first meeting with the
press in which he noted that Chile is a country with great
reputation in the United States. "Chile continues to be one of the
most attractive countries for investment," he said.
13. "The Santiago Times," English online news service, titled its
article: "Bachelet Welcomes New U.S. Ambassador to Chile." "After
the reception with the President, Simons held his first meeting with
the press where he emphasized the good relations between the two
countries. The U.S. Ambassador also touched on education, saying he
hoped to bring new educational technology to Chile and said that the
embassy "is focusing on the priority of teaching English here in
Chile."
14. "El Mostrador" online daily featured: "Chile 'Continues to be
a Star', Said New U.S. Ambassador." Paul Simons also highlighted
the good bilateral relations between both countries.
15. "Terra.cl" online daily read: "New U.S. Ambassador: 'Chile
Continues to Be One of the Stars in Latin America." The diplomat,
who today presented his credentials to President Michelle Bachelet,
did not spare compliments to Chile and underlined the good bilateral
relations.
16. "Cooperativa.cl", Radio Cooperativa's website reported: "New
U.S. Ambassador Said that Relations With Chile Are 'Close and
Solid.'"
SIMONS