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