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UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000986 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV OPRC PREL PGOV CI
SUBJECT:  POSITIVE REACTION IN CHILE TO OBAMA'S ELECTION 
 
¶1. Summary:  Every Chilean daily on November 6 gave extensive 
coverage to reactions about Barack Obama's election, including 
remarks by President Bachelet and local political party leaders. 
The Ambassador also received calls about the election results from 
an exuberant Senate President Adolfo Zaldivar, Foreign Minister 
Foxley, and former Foreign Minister Juan Gabriel Valdez.  Prominent 
Chileans, including former President Lagos and OAS Secretary General 
Insulza, made positive remarks about Obama's victory.  Virtually all 
editorials commented on the significance of Barack Obama's election 
and its impact in the United States and the world, noting the high 
expectations for the next U.S. President.  Many cited Bush 
administration's economic policies and foreign policy as factors in 
Obama's victory.  Dailies also gave prominent coverage to President 
Bachelet's public statement congratulating the President-elect on 
his historic victory (see para 10).  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  The Ambassador received phone calls on November 5 from Senate 
President Adolfo Zaldivar, Foreign Minister Foxley, and former 
Foreign Minister Juan Gabriel Valdes about the U.S. election 
results.  All three saluted the election as a great demonstration of 
the depth of the U.S. democratic system and an inspirational event 
for Latin America and the world. 
 
Editorials on Obama Victory 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3.  The following are editorial excerpts from Chile's leading 
dailies: 
 
¶4.  "Obama's Victory."  "Barack Obama's victory as the first 
Afro-American President is an unquestionable landmark in U.S. 
history....  He also represents a different way of looking at 
international issues....  This implies a change in the government 
and has given way to enormous expectations in his country and the 
rest of the world, which poses a significant challenge for the 
newly-elected president....  In his campaign speeches, Obama has 
shown notable qualities, but he has also left several unanswered 
issues; he has not explained his ambiguity with regard to free trade 
agreements" (conservative, influential newspaper-of-record El 
Mercurio, circ. 129,000). 
 
¶5.  "Historical Outcome in the U.S. Presidential Election":  "At a 
moment in which the United States seemed to be going through a 
severe identity crisis because of the vacuums and mistakes of its 
authorities, this election will give its leadership an injection of 
optimism and confidence that could restore the strength and 
efficiency of the government in a scenario that looks difficult both 
domestically and internationally, in the short-an mid-term" 
(conservative, independent La Tercera, circ. 101,000). 
 
¶6.  "Obama, Hope for Dialogue and Cooperation":  "Obama was not 
elected for his race, but because he was the best candidate....  Two 
factors that explain his victory are his opposition to the war and 
rejection of the financial speculation that led to the crisis.... 
It won't be easy for Obama to fulfill his promises, especially 
because the Bush administration has stirred resentment against the 
United States.  But as of now, Obama has the support of the large 
majority of the world's population....  In Chile, neoliberals have 
already expressed their doubts, because Obama has rejected the free 
trade agreement with Chile.  But the basis for that view lies in the 
need to expand international commercial relations beyond the mere 
exchange of goods to promote the harmonious development of nations, 
including labor and environmental protection.  The expectations of 
Obama are high... and he has asked for patience....  But what is 
clear is that the history of the United States and of the world 
changed as of yesterday" (government-owned, editorially independent 
La Nacion, circ. 4,200). 
 
¶7.  "Obama and Latin America":  "The expectations about what the new 
White House occupant will do are even higher given the current 
international financial uncertainty.  There is hope that in Chile's 
case he will move forward to, as President Bachelet said, 'work 
together to further strengthen the relationship among our peoples 
and seize not just the economic opportunities, but also the 
training, technological exchanges, and cultural developments that we 
share'" (business and financial daily Estrategia, circ. 30,000). 
 
¶8.  "The New U.S. President":  "Obama has the enormous challenge of 
putting the United States back in the seat it deserves, moving away 
from the antibodies that the Bush administration's diplomacy 
created.  The big question is how protectionist his foreign policy 
will be, especially since he addressed the possibility of 
renegotiating free trade agreements over, for example, environmental 
and labor provisions.  These elements are especially important for 
South America in general, but especially for Chile" (business and 
financial daily Diario Financiero, circ. 30,000). 
 
Chileans Upbeat on President-Elect Obama 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  The following are statements by prominent Chileans about the 
U.S. presidential election result: 
 
-- Former President Ricardo Lagos:  "With Obama there is a better 
chance for understanding in the world, which faces increasing 
unrest" (La Segunda, conservative, afternoon daily, circ. 33,000). 
 
-- OAS Secretary General Jos Miguel Insulza:  "There is no doubt 
that the United States will change....  There will be a fundamental 
change in U.S. policy from what it has been in the past years.... 
Obama is the best reflection of the hope for change" (La Segunda). 
 
-- Minister Secretary General to the Presidency Jose Antonio 
Viera-Gallo:  "Barack's election is as if someone opened the window 
to let in fresh air" (El Mercurio). 
 
-- Socialist Party President Camilo Escalona:  "The lesson is that 
solidarity is more important than greed" (El Mercurio). 
 
-- PRSD President Jose Antonio Gomez:  "He won with votes of young 
people and independents.  That is the lesson we must note in Chile 
(El Mercurio). 
 
-- UDI President Jovino Novoa:  "This shows the strength of U.S. 
democracy" (El Mercurio). 
 
-- RN President Carlos Larran:  "It (Obama presidency) raises 
questions, for example, whether he will appoint judges based on 
their support of legal abortions" (El Mercurio). 
 
-- PPD President Pepe Auth:  "(This shows that) People vote for a 
road to the future and not events of the past" (El Mercurio). 
 
-- PRI President Jaime Mulet:  "Just change is possible when people 
participate, especially those who do not do so regularly, such as 
young people." (El Mercurio) 
 
-- RN Senator Hernan Larrain:  "Obama's victory was not only 
expected, it is also healthy because it means a change in power" (La 
Nacion). 
 
-- Communist Party Secretary General Guillermo Teillier:  This is a 
good chance to observe what Obama will do....  The United States 
must change its politics in the world, end the wars in several parts 
of the globe and change its attitude toward Latin America... taking 
differences into account" (La Nacion). 
 
-- PS President Camilo Escalona:  The United States has moved the 
barriers as to what is possible, toward greater equity and less 
discrimination" (La Nacion). 
 
President Bachelet:  "A Historic Moment" 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶10.  President Michelle Bachelet made very positive remarks about 
President-elect Obama during a function she attended on November 5: 
 
¶11.  "Let me take this opportunity to publicly congratulate the 
election of Barack Obama as the new President of the United States 
and to wish him, from this country far south in the Americas, 
success in his endeavors.  This is a historic moment, because today, 
when the world faces serious challenges in areas as important to 
people's lives as the energy crisis, the economic crisis, and the 
food crisis, it is obvious that the entire international community 
requires new solutions and greater concern for those who are most 
vulnerable.  And I am certain that Barack Obama is the expression of 
a nation's dream of a better future and one full of hope." 
 
¶12.  "I know that his main concerns are social justice and equal 
opportunity, which he has summarized in his slogans for 'change' and 
'hope.'  These are certainly the same principles that inspire us in 
Chile.  I am confident that both countries will continue to work 
together to further strengthen the relationship among our peoples 
and take advantage of new opportunities, not just on economic 
issues, but also in regard to training, technological exchange, and 
the cultural development that we already have." 
 
¶13.  President Bachelet concluded expressing her "best wishes for 
all the people of the United States." 
 
SIMONS