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courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06SANTIAGO1644, MEDIA REACTION - MIDEAST: ISRAEL/HEZBOLLAH COMBAT,

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06SANTIAGO1644 2006-07-31 20:37 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Santiago
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #1644 2122037
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 312037Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9715
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001644 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - MIDEAST: ISRAEL/HEZBOLLAH COMBAT, 
CEASE-FIRE CONDITIONS 
 
 
1. On July 30, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 
102,000) carried an editorial entitled "The Urgency of a Cease Fire 
in The Middle East."  Quotes: 
 
"There is no doubt that the conflict has multiple and complex 
elements...but this does not mean the international community cannot 
do something more substantial....  The first priority must be to 
stop the number of victims from growing and avoid a spiral of 
violence....  Both parties have rejected the idea of a truce...and 
the apparent decision of the United States to not support a 
ceasefire until Israel has weakened the Hezbollah...seems to 
indicate that there will be no immediate solution. 
 
"The ceasefire is a priority....  It would not resolve the real 
problem, which is that Hezbollah will continue to operate as a 
'state within a state' in Lebanon.  But it would prevent the 
conflict from becoming more extreme.  It would also open a window 
for the international community...which must oversee the role that 
actors such as Iran and Syria play in providing financial and 
military support to Hezbollah....  The international community must 
intervene quickly to avoid an escalation of the violence, be it 
through legal institutions created for this purpose or through those 
nations that have influence in the region." 
 
2. On July 30, government-owned, editorially independent "La Nacion" 
(circ. 3,800) carried a column by journalist Rafael Cavada "The 
Chessboard Pawns."  Quote: 
 
"The United Nations is asking for a truce.  Israel refuses and the 
United States supports Israel.  Condoleezza Rice plays the piano in 
an effort to attain a cease fire -- Nero did the same as Rome 
perished under flames.  The woman controling U.S. foreign policy 
talks about long-lasting peace in the region while other women cry 
for their sons buried under the rubble of their homes.  It is a bad 
habit to get in the way of Israeli missiles and their targets.  The 
UN complains because four observers died in an Israeli bombing; 
Israel was warned a dozen times that those there were international 
observers.  But the observers ended up being blown up anyway in a 
mass of broken bones and meat, as with another 600 civilians, 
without anyone doing anything to stop it." 
 
3. On July 30, government-owned, editorially independent "La Nacion" 
(circ. 3,800) carried a column by defense journalist Raul Sohr 
entitled, "David and Goliath, Again."  Quote: 
 
"Israel has proclaimed it is not at war with Lebanon.  Its goal is 
to disarm and neutralize Hezbollah.... Israel knows it will not 
eliminate Hezbollah as a political organization....  Hezbolla has 
seen its political reputation grow in the region; its members have 
caused the same or more damage to Israel than organized Arab 
armies...  This militia is not just a threat to Israel, and many 
Arab nations are closely watching.  Depending on how this war ends, 
a new political scenario in the Middle East could emerge, but not 
one that the United States would expect." 
 
KELLY