VZCZCXYZ0021
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMN #0560/01 2711333
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281333Z SEP 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9379
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000560 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/BSC MARY DASCHBACH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV UY
SUBJECT: URUGUAY: CONTROVERSIAL MUJICA INTERVIEWS PROMPT 
OPPOSITION TO QUESTION HIS FITNESS TO GOVERN 
 
¶1. (U) This telegram is sensitive but unclassified, and not 
for Internet distribution. 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶2. (SBU)  A number of controversial statements by Frente 
Amplio (FA) coalition presidential candidate Jose Mujica have 
led to a press firestorm and criticism of the candidate both 
from the opposition and Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez. 
In a September 13 interview with a prominent Argentine 
newspaper, Mujica made a number of comments concerning his 
experience as a Tupamaro guerrilla in the 1970s that left him 
open to charges of being skeptical of democracy and the 
justice system.  Quickly thereafter, a book on Mujica was 
released which quoted him as making diparaging remarks about 
a wide array of public figures, including the Kirchners, the 
Socialist Party, the military, and even the Vazquez 
government.  The book's publication promoted President 
Vazquez to distance himself (temporarily) from his party's 
candidate and gave the National Party ample ammunition to 
question Mujica's fitnes for the presidency. However, it 
remains to be seen whether the controversy will affect 
Mujica's lead in the polls as the elections near.  End 
Summary. 
 
The La Nacion Interview: Provocative Remarks About the Past, 
Moderate Message for the Future 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (U)  On September 13, the Argentine newspaper La Nacion 
published Ricardo Carpena's lengthy interview of FA 
presidential candidate Jose Mujica, which had been conducted 
on Mujica's ranch a week before.  The interview dealt with a 
variety of topics, including Mujica's past as a Tupamaro 
guerrilla, his time in prison, and his current political 
philosophy.  Mujica's most notable and widely quoted comments 
from the interview centered around his experience as a 
Tupamaro guerrilla during the 1970s, as the candidate claimed 
that "the violence (by the Tupamaros) in Uruguay really was 
justified" and that "justice has the stench of vengeance that 
comes from its origins." 
 
¶4. (U)  Following the publication of the interview, Mujica's 
opponents in October's presidential election immediately 
responded, with National Party vice-presidential candidate 
Jorge Larranaga telling the press that Mujica's comments 
unequivocally demonstrated his anti-democratic views.  In a 
separate interview, opposition presidential candidate Luis 
Alberto Lacalle added, "From assassins, torturers, and 
thieves, nothing surprises me." 
 
¶5. (U)  Mujica insists these comments say little about his 
contemporary political views.  He claimed his comment about 
violence being justified was a defense of the methods and 
objectives of the Tupamaros relative to those of the 
dictatorship, which he regretted being unable to prevent. 
Mujica also claimed that his other controversial statement - 
that "justice has the stench of vengeance" - actually came in 
the context of his preference to know the truth about what 
happened in the past rather than to achieve justice (or, in 
his eyes, revenge) against those who committed the crimes of 
the dictatorship.  Leading daily El Pais ran an editorial 
condemning Mujica's continued assertion that the Tupamaros 
were fighting against tyranny (the military dictatorship came 
into being after the Tupamaros had already been crushed). 
 
¶6. (U)  In general, Mujica described himself in the interview 
as having a fairly moderate political philosophy, along the 
lines of that espoused by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, 
with an emphasis on negotiation and conciliation.  When 
Carpena asked Mujica if he sees himself as more like Lula 
than like Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Mujica replied, 
"I think so. The policy of negotiation produces more results. 
It is more accommodating."  Furthermore, he criticized 
Chavez's governing style, opining that Chavez "talks too 
much" and is creating a huge bureaucracy.  At the same time, 
though, he expressed admiration for the wisdom of Fidel 
Castro. 
 
"Pepe Coloquios": What Was He Thinking? 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (U)  The publication of the La Nacion interview was 
followed only a few days later by the release of a book 
entitled "Pepe Coloquios" ("Pepe Speaks Frankly"), a 
compilation of 18 interviews of Mujica by Uruguayan 
journalist Alfredo Garcia.  The book includes even more 
controversial statements by the candidate.  Mujica dubbed 
Argentina as "having hysterical, crazy, paranoid reactions", 
 
and its first family, the Kirchners, whom he labeled as 
"Peronist losers."  Among other colorful remarks, Mujica also 
added his belief that land "belongs to the nation and should 
be rented out by the State".  He described both the Vazquez 
government and the Socialist party as machines to create 
government jobs, and characterized the Montevideo 
municipality as a failure.  Mujica also criticized the 
Central Bank, the University of the Republic, civil society, 
the private sector, agricultural interests, and the military 
in language which is not repeatable in polite company. 
 
¶8. (SBU)  Just as with the La Nacion interview, the reaction 
to the release of "Pepe Coloquios" was swift.  Larranaga 
asked an audience in Buenos Aires for forgiveness on behalf 
of the Uruguayan people, adding that Mujica's remarks 
revealed a subconscious desire not to be elected president. 
Surprisingly, President Vazquez also joined in the 
condemnations, telling a group in the United States that 
Mujica says stupid things with which Vazquez himself does not 
agree.  Mujica has since apologized for his remarks, and both 
he and Garcia have asserted that the quotations were taken 
out of context.  After initial consternation, the Frente 
Amplio rallied around Mujica, and continued to blame the 
opposition for "negative campaigning". 
 
¶9. (SBU) The incidents demonstrate a phenomenon witnessed 
throughout the campaign: Mujica's tendency to speak his mind, 
with little thought to the implications.  For many voters, 
Mujica's frankness adds to his appeal, but for others it 
confirms his unsuitability to lead the country.  Astori is 
widely seen as a moderating force in this regard, with Mujica 
even proposing that any debate between himself and Lacalle 
include their respective running mates.  However, Astori can 
only do so much to ensure that his running mate stays on 
message. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶10. (SBU) The race remains close, with the most recent 
polling giving Mujica a 44-32 percent edge over Lacalle in 
October's elections and a five point advantage in a 
second-round November runoff, which most experts view as very 
likely to occur.  This poll was taken prior to the La Nacion 
interview, but given that most Mujica voters support their 
candidate largely because of his honesty, it is doubtful that 
those already squarely in the Mujica camp will be deterred by 
his comments. However, it remains to be seen whether the key 
seven percent of still undecided voters will prize Mujica's 
frankness and likability or if they will turn towards the 
more predictable Lacalle.  End Comment. 
 
Matthewman