Cablegate: Santiago Feb. 9 Media Report

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TAGS: ECON KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL SNAR EFIN CI
SUBJECT: Santiago Feb. 9 Media Report

Lead Story

1. President-elect Pi????era will announce his cabinet today at
the History Museum (government headquarter until 1845). Among the
possible cabinet members is Lagos' former defense minister Jaime
Ravinet, of the Christian Democratic Party. Sources said the
cabinet will incorporate six women (Conservative, independent La
Tercera, 2/9).

Local Politics

2. The disagreement continues between Concertacion and
opposition officials over the formula chosen by Pi????era with regard
to Chilevision television station. Pi????era will transfer his shares
- he owns 100% of the station - to a non-profit foundation to
administer them. He will, however, retain full ownership. Pi????era
will name the foundation's board and chairman (Government-owned La
Nacion, 2/9).

3. Human rights organizations expressed concern with regard to
the recent appointment of the new Joint Chiefs of Staff, General
Christian Le Dantec. Yesterday, Supreme Court Justice Hector Solis
explained that Le Dantec had testified voluntarily twice in court
and only as a witness in a case dating to 1973, adding that there
are no charges against him (Conservative, influential
newspaper-of-record El Mercurio 2/9).

Science

4. NASA glaciologist Jay Zwally praised President Obama's
announcement to freeze manned missions to the moon and Mars and
renew interest in Earth sciences. "It is great news that climate is
now a priority," said Zwally. The NASA expert is in Valdivia,
southern Chile, attending a conference. "Mars is very important for
the space program and the goal is to take people there," he said,
but added, "resources for new missions have been practically frozen
for eight years" (El Mercurio, 2/9). (PA program).
URBAN

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