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E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON PREL SNAR EFIN CI
SUBJECT:  CHILE MEDIA REPORT - FEBRUARY 18 
 
Leading Stories 
--------------- 
¶1.  Stock markets worldwide fall due to doubts in the effectiveness 
of the bailout plan for the automobile industry in the United 
States.  Finance Minister Andres Velasco's two-year old daughter 
accidentally fell into a swimming pool yesterday, and is on an 
induced comma to prevent further neurological damage. 
 
U.S.-Related News 
----------------- 
¶2.  Chilean Ambassador to the United States Mariano Fernandez said 
that although Latin America is not a priority for the United States, 
because "the two main issues that show the success or failure of a 
U.S. President are not south of the Rio Grande," he believes 
President Obama will give Latin America more attention.  Fernandez 
said that a difference must be made between regional and bilateral 
relations, in the sense that while countries such as Chile, Brazil, 
or Uruguay have very good relations with the United States, others 
in the region do not.  Fernandez said that the "fundamental points 
of his policy toward the region" will become more evident at the 
Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago."  He added that 
Secretary Clinton's appointment will be good for Chile (Cosas 
Magazine, 2/18). 
 
¶3.  The ties between President Obama and his Brazilian counterpart 
Inacio Lula da Silva could become the center of the new U.S. 
administration's policy toward Latin America.  Observers say that 
Obama has clearly given priority to his relation with Brazil in the 
form of gestures and at the expense of Argentina or other countries 
who thought they had a better chance of establishing more visible 
ties with Obama.  State Department sources tied to the previous 
administration said that Washington was not too thrilled with 
Cristina Fernandez' February 5 remarks that Obama was applying 
policies Argentina implemented in 2003, which mirrored policies 
implemented by former Argentine President Peron.  The United States 
sees Brazil as an emerging power with a greater role in the region 
and one that could be a first-rate negotiator, hence its importance 
(La Tercera, conservative, independent, circ. 101,000, 2/18). 
 
¶4.  Wal-Mart invited D and S labor union leader Juan Moreno to meet 
with his counterparts in other countries where the U.S. retailer is 
operating to learn about the impact of the merger.  Doug McMillan, 
Wal-Mart's second highest ranking CEO, arrived in Santiago this week 
to meet with the board of D and S.  The American company bought 58% 
of the local retailer (La Segunda, conservative, afternoon, circ. 
33,000, 2/17). 
 
¶5.  13-year old Chilean Trinidad Soza is among the ten students 
chosen to read on television the letter she sent via e-mail to 
President Obama.  In her letter, Trinidad expresses concerns about 
overweight children, and asks the president if children could 
receive more education on nutrition, and suggests providing 
healthier menus in public schools.  "Overweight is not just about 
appearance.  It's also about self-confidence, self-esteem, and 
health," stated the letter (El Mercurio, conservative, influential 
newspaper-of-record, 2/18). 
 
¶6.  Editorial entitled, "War in Afghanistan and the Challenges for 
the United States" 
"The United States and its allies are facing a difficult military 
scenario in Afghanistan... (and) in this context Washington wants to 
send an additional 30,000 soldiers... but it's not clear what would 
be gained with this....  The new U.S. President... must not make the 
mistakes of the past or deepen those that are being committed today, 
such as the lack of control of the international aid being handed to 
the government of Kabul or the scarce attention given to the role 
Pakistan has in this conflict.  This is a challenge from which the 
superpower (the U.S.) cannot be absent" (La Tercera, 2/28). 
 
Bolivia 
------- 
¶7.  On Monday, Bolivian President Evo Morales thanked Fidel Castro 
for endorsing La Paz's claim for a passage to the sea (through 
Chilean territory).  Morales also said he would like to see the 
international community play a more active role on this issue. 
Yesterday Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto Van Klaveren 
"reminded" the Bolivian President that its maritime claim is "a 
strictly bilateral issue" between Chile and Bolivia (El Mercurio, 
2/18). 
 
Trade 
----- 
¶8.  Chilean exporters will inaugurate in June 2009, a 300-square 
meter facility in Soho, Manhattan, which is intended to become a 
business platform to service importers of Chilean goods and 
services.  The facility will offer tourism packages, food, and 
special products (Diario Financiero, business and financial (circ. 
30,000, 2/18). 
 
Nuclear Energy 
-------------- 
¶9.  In February, the National Energy Commission opened a bidding 
process for the drafting of a new report on the development of 
nuclear-electric energy in Chile.  Unlike previous reports, the new 
study will gather public opinion concerns on the topic (La Tercera, 
2/18). 
 
SIMONS