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