Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 96 97 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/06
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/06 1992/12
1993/10
1996/11
1997/12
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai
Embassy Freetown
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Naples Consulate Naha
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ASEC AE AF AM AR AJ AU AORC AG AEMR AMGT APER AGMT AL AFIN AO AMED ADCO AS ABUD ABLD ASUP ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG APECO AID AND AMBASSADOR AN ARM AY AODE AMG ASCH AMCHAMS ARF APCS APEC ASEAN AGAO ANET ADPM ACOA ACABQ AORL AFFAIRS ATRN ACS AFSI AFSN ADANA ASIG AA AX AUC AC AECL AADP AGRICULTURE AMEX ACAO ACBAQ AQ AORG ADM AINF AIT ASEX AGR AROC ATFN AFGHANISTAN AFU AER ALOW AZ AVERY
BA BY BU BR BE BL BO BK BM BILAT BH BEXP BF BTIO BC BBSR BMGT BTIU BG BWC BB BD BX BP BRUSSELS BN BIDEN BT
CW CH CF CD CV CVIS CM CE CA CJAN CLINTON CIA CU CASC CI CO CACM CDB CN CMGT CS CG CBW CIS CR CONDOLEEZZA CPAS CAN CWC CY COUNTER CDG CL CT CIC CIDA CSW CHR CB CODEL COUNTERTERRORISM CTR COM CICTE CFED CJUS CKGR CBSA CEUDA CARSON CONS CITEL CLMT CROS CITT CAC CVR CDC CAPC COPUOS CBC CBE CARICOM COE COUNTRY CLEARANCE CACS CTM CNARC
DA DR DPRK DJ DEA DEPT DTRA DISENGAGEMENT DOD DEFENSE DOMESTIC DHS DAO DCM DO DE DEAX DOE DK DS
ECON EFIN ETRD EUN EFIS EG ETTC EZ EPET EAID EAGR ENRG ECUN EU ELAB ECPS EAIR EINV ELTN EWWT EIND EMIN EI ECIN ENVR ELECTIONS EINVEFIN EN ES ER EC EUC EINT EINVETC ENGR ET EK ENIV ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ECONOMY EAP EFTA EUR EUMEM EXIM ERD ENERG EUREM ESA ERNG EXTERNAL EPA EINVECONSENVCSJA ECONOMICS ELN EINN EFINECONCS ENNP EEPET ETRDEINVTINTCS ENVI ETRO ESENV ECINECONCS ECONOMIC EAIDS EDU ETRA ETRN EFIM EIAR ETRC EAIG EXBS EURN ECIP EREL ECA ENGY ECONCS ECONEFIN ETC ETRDECONWTOCS EUNCH EINDETRD
FR FJ FI FREEDOM FTAA FARC FAO FINANCE FOR FO FDA FAC FM FTA FISO FMLN FBI FOREIGN FOI FAS FINR
GM GE GG GA GZ GV GH GT GR GY GAERC GOI GAZA GOV GTMO GL GLOBAL GTIP GCC GANGS GERARD GF
HO HURI HA HILLARY HR HU HUMOR HK HUMAN HSTC HEBRON HI HYMPSK
IR IZ IS IAEA INRB IRAJ IQ IN IT IMO INTERPOL ICAO IO IC ITALY ITALIAN IRAQI ICTY ID IPR IWC ILC INTELSAT IL IBRD IMF IA IRC ICRC ILO ITU ITRA IV IDA IAHRC ICJ ISRAELI IRS INMARSAT ISRAEL ISLAMISTS INDO IZPREL ITPHUM ITPGOV ITF IBET IEFIN INR IACI INTERNAL IDP IGAD IEA ICTR IIP INRA INRO IF
JO JA JAMES JM JP JOSEPH JOHNNIE JOHN JUS
KJUS KSCA KNNP KU KCOR KCRM KDEM KTFN KHLS KPAL KWBG KACT KGHG KPAO KTIA KIRF KWMN KS KG KZ KN KMDR KISL KSPR KHIV KPRP KAWK KR KUNR KDRG KCIP KGCC KTIP KSUM KPKO KVIR KAWC KPIN KGIC KRAD KIPR KOLY KCFE KMCA KE KV KICC KNPP KBCT KSEP KFRD KFLU KVPR KOCI KBIO KSTH KMPI KCRS KOMC KTBT KPLS KIRC KREL KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KFLO KBTS KSTC KTDB KFSC KX KFTFN KNEI KIDE KREC KMRS KICA KPAONZ KCGC KSAF KRGY KCMR KRVC KVRP KSEO KCOM KAID KTEX KNUC KNAR KNUP KNNPMNUC KLIG KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KCRCM KHDP KGIT KNSD KOMS KWMM KPAI KHSA KTLA KO KMFO KRCM KCSY KSAC KTRD KPWR KID KWNM KRIM KPOA KCHG KOM KSCI KFIN KMOC KESS KWAC KMIG KSEC KIFR KDEMAF KPRV KBTR KERG KTER KDDG KPAK KRFD KHUM KDEV KCFC KWWMN KWMNCS KJUST
LE LY LG LU LH LI LO LOG LAB LTTE LA LABOR LT
MARR MOPS MU MTCRE MNUC MY MASS MCAP MOPPS MAR MPOS MO ML MR MASC MX MD MP MA MTRE MIL MCC MZ MK MDC MRCRE MAPS MV MI MEPN MAPP MEETINGS MAS MTS MLS MILI MTCR MG MC MARAD MIK MILITARY MEDIA MEPI MUCN MEPP MT MERCOSUR MW MASSMNUC MQADHAFI
NZ NATO NG NI NO NATIONAL NU NPT NIPP NL NPG NS NA NGO NP NSG NDP NAFTA NR NC NH NE NSF NPA NK NSSP NRR NATOPREL NSC NT NW NORAD NEW NV NSFO NAR NASA NZUS
OTRA OVIP OPRC OPDC OSCE OAS ODIP OIIP OFDP OVP OREP OFFICIALS OSAC OEXC OPCW OIE OIC OFDA OSCI OPIC OBSP OECD ON OCII OHUM OES OCS OMIG OPAD OTR
PGOV PREL PHUM PINR PTER PSOE PINS PARM PK PBTS PEPR PM POLITICAL PARTIES PREF PBIO PROP PA PSI PINT PO PKFK PL PAK PE POLITICS PINL POL PHSA PU PF POV PFOR PHALANAGE PARTY PARMS PRGOV PNAT POLINT PRAM PMAR PG PAO PROG PRELP PPA PCUL PSEPC PSA PREO PAHO PGIV PREFA PALESTINIAN PAIGH POSTS PTBS PGOVLO PORG PGOVE PLN PINF PAS PUNE POLICY PDEM PDOV PCI PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PHUMPGOV PMIL PNG PP PS PHUH PECON POGOV PY PHUMPREL PHUS PRL PGOC PNR PGGV PROV PTERE PGOF PHUMBA PEL
QA
RS RU RW REGION RP RICE ROBERT RSP RUPREL RM RO RCMP RSO RELATIONS REACTION REPORT RIGHTS ROOD RF RFE RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP SA SY SF SYR SENV SCUL SOCI SNAR SO SU SG STEINBERG SHUM SW SMIG SR SZ SIPRS SI SAARC SPCE SARS SN SYRIA SANC SL SCRS SC SENVKGHG SAN SNARCS SHI SWE SNARIZ SIPDIS SEN SNARN SPCVIS SEVN SSA SH SOFA SK ST
TPHY TU TRGY TI TX TS TW TC TFIN TD TSPA TH TT TIP TBIO TSPL TZ TERRORISM TRSY TN THPY TINT TF TL TV TK TO TP TURKEY TNGD TBID TAGS TR
UP US UNSC UK UZ UE UNESCO UV UNGA UN UNMIK UNO UY UAE UNEP UG UNHCR UNHRC USUN UNAUS USTR USNC USOAS UNCHR UNCSD UNDP USEU USPS UNDC UNDESCO UNCHC UNFICYP UNC UNODC UNPUOS UNCND UNICEF UNCHS UNVIE USAID UNIDROIT
VE VZ VN VT VTPREL VM VTIZ VTEG VI VAT VC
WTO WMO WI WTRQ WHO WWARD WA WB WBG WITH WTRO WHA WMD WIPO WS WZ WHTI WFP WEU
XF XA XL XM XR XS XT XK XY XC XG XW XD XV XX XB XE XZ XH XTAG XQ XU XI
YM YI YE YMCS
ZI ZP ZR ZF ZANU ZOELLICK ZU ZO ZB ZL ZK ZEALAND ZN ZA ZJ

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 08SANTIAGO221, CHILE'S SPOKESMAN PREFERS URIBE TO CHAVEZ

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08SANTIAGO221.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
08SANTIAGO221 | 2008-03-07 20:08 | 2011-04-06 00:12 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Santiago

`

    VZCZCXYZ0000
    PP RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHSG #0221/01 0672006
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    P 072006Z MAR 08
    FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2880
    INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION PRIORITY 3366
    RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 1979
    RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0222
    RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0843
    RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 1686
    RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAR 5726
    RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 5491
    RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 3953
    RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 1824
    RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY

` `

    id: 144905
    date: 3/7/2008 20:06
    refid: 08SANTIAGO221
    origin: Embassy Santiago
    classification: CONFIDENTIAL
    destination: 07SANTIAGO1983|07SANTIAGO417|07SANTIAGO458|08SANTIAGO194|08SANTIAGO207|08SANTIAGO70
    header:
    VZCZCXYZ0000
    PP RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHSG #0221/01 0672006
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    P 072006Z MAR 08
    FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2880
    INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION PRIORITY 3366
    RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 1979
    RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0222
    RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0843
    RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 1686
    RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAR 5726
    RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 5491
    RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 3953
    RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 1824
    RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY

    ----------------- header ends ----------------

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000221

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
    TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ECON ECPS CO VE EC CI
    SUBJECT: CHILE'S SPOKESMAN PREFERS URIBE TO CHAVEZ

    REF: A. SANTIAGO 194
         ¶B. SANTIAGO 207
         ¶C. 07 SANTIAGO 1983
         ¶D. SANTIAGO 70
         ¶E. 07 SANTIAGO 417
         ¶F. 07 SANTIAGO 458

    Classified By: Paul Simons for reasons 1.4 (B&D)

    ¶1. (C) Summary.  Government spokesman Vidal told the
    Ambassador the GOC considered Uribe an ally, and an
    alternative to Chavez in South America.  This friendship made
    the current Colombia/Ecuador conflict "complicated" for the
    GOC given Chile's historical respect for the inviolability of
    settled borders.  He also commented on Chilean internal
    politics, expressing confidence in the ruling coalition
    Concertacion's chances of winning 2008 municipal elections.
    Vidal was critical of Chile's "right-wing" press as unfair to
    the GOC.  The Ambassador advocated for the U.S. ATSC digital
    television standard.  End summary.

    ¶2. (U) The Ambassador met with Secretary General of the
    Government Francisco Vidal on March 6.  Vidal, who is a
    Minister and the Administration's spokesperson, was appointed
    in December after the previous Secretary General, Ricardo
    Lagos Weber, stepped down to run for the Senate.  Vidal held
    the same position under former President Ricardo Lagos.  The
    Ambassador was accompanied by E/POL Counselor and E/POLoff.

    GOC Perspective on Colombia and Ecuador
    ---------------------------------------

    ¶3. (C)  Vidal described the tension between Colombia and
    Ecuador over Colombia's incursion into Ecuadorian territory
    (refs A & B) as "complicated for the Chilean government."
    Chile, he said, in a clear allusion to its ongoing dispute
    with Peru, obviously considers borders and sovereignty issues
    sacrosanct.  However, the GOC's friendship with Uribe is also
    important.  Uribe, he said, is an ally in providing a
    non-"Chavista" model for South America.  As spokesman, Vidal
    had been asked the GOC's opinion on Chavez's role in this
    conflict, but explained he refused to answer to avoid
    escalating the tension.  The GOC might, however, speak out
    more on Chavez's "interference" in the months ahead when the
    situation is more calm.  (Note: Foreign Minister Foxley
    already issued a veiled criticism of Chavez's interference in
    a statement earlier this week - ref B.  End note).  The
    Ambassador acknowledged Chile's helpful role in working with
    Brazil and others to de-escalate tensions.  He and Vidal
    agreed that the Organization of American States had been
    helpful in defusing the crisis.

    ATSC Digital Television (DTV) Standard
    --------------------------------------

    ¶4. (SBU) As part of the Embassy's full-court press to all
    relevant decision-makers (ref C & D), the Ambassador
    advocated on behalf of the ATSC standard for DTV, and gave
    Vidal a one-page fact sheet on the advantages of ATSC.  The
    Ambassador noted the principal ATSC advantages of low cost
    and reliability, and its rigorous field-testing in the
    demanding U.S. market.  He encouraged the GOC to select a
    standard carefully so as to avoid another public relations
    crisis like Transantiago (Santiago's mass-transit system; ref
    E & F), eliciting a laugh from Vidal.  Vidal offered no
    substantive response on the merits of the ATSC system.

    Internal Chilean Politics
    --------------------------

    ¶5. (SBU) Joking with the Ambassador about the fact that the
    Ambassador had already met two Ministers of Interior during
    his three months in Chile, Vidal predicted Bachelet's third
    cabinet would stay through Bachelet's term.  He expressed
    confidence that the ruling center-left Concertacion coalition
    would win the municipal elections in October 2008, in part
    due to support from the Communist Party, but was less
    confident about the December 2009 presidential election.
    Vidal noted that the center-right Alianza coalition's only
    hope of Presidential victory was in the first round -- if no
    candidate gained a first round victory, the expected shift of
    Communist party votes to the Concertacion candidate in the
    second round would probably ensure a Concertacion victory.

    ¶6. (C) Vidal lamented the bitterness of the current political
    debate in Chile and the lack of any concrete policy proposals
    from the opposition.  Alianza was "exaggerating" problems of
    corruption and Transantiago, and that the press, "owned by
    the right," would never print a pro-government story.  He
    pointed out that state-owned newspaper La Nacion has a Sunday
    readership of around 35,000 compared to El Mercurio's almost
    350,000 and La Tercera's 300,000.  (Note: Actual figures are
    La Nacion: 17,000; El Mercurio: 263,000; and La Tercera:
    222,000.  End note).  Despite Chile being ranked equal to the
    U.S. in corruption levels by Transparency International, and
    Transantiago is improving, Concertacion is portrayed by the
    press as ineffective and corrupt.

    ¶7. (SBU) Vidal expressed some concern about the world
    economy, but said Chile's reserves (thanks to GOC saving and
    high copper prices) would protect it from a crisis.

    Comment
    -------

    ¶8. (C) Vidal, who is close to both Bachelet and former
    President Lagos, was brought in to help increase order within
    the GOC and improve coordination with the Concertacion
    political parties.  He is a lightning rod for the opposition,
    who believe he epitomizes the arrogance and "corruption" bred
    under 18 years of Concertacion governments.  A master
    politician who is smooth as silk, Vidal was very positive
    about the GOC's relationship with the USG and expressed views
    very similar to our own on the conflict between Ecuador and
    Colombian and his concern over Chavez's interference.  His
    views reflect a growing consensus within the GOC in support
    of free trade and increasing concern about Chavez's influence
    in the region.

    Biography of Vidal
    -------------------

    ¶9. (U) Vidal (54) replaced Ricardo Lagos Weber as Secretary
    General of Government on December 6, 2007.  He is a
    third-time minister, previously serving under former
    President Lagos as Minister of Interior (succeeding Insulza
    when the latter resigned to run for OAS SecGen) and Secretary
    General of Government (2001-2005).  As Minister of Interior,
    he oversaw security and intelligence services.  More
    importantly, he directed President Lagos, three-minister
    "political committee" (Interior, Secretary General of the
    Presidency, and Minister/Spokesman) to shepherd Lagos,
    legislative agenda.  President Bachelet,s ability to restore
    order to La Moneda will depend in part on Vidal,s
    willingness to defer to current Interior Minister Perez Yoma,
    as well as his ability to cooperate with Perez Yoma and
    Minister Viera-Gallo -- a political heavyweight in his own
    right and no shrinking violet.

    ¶10. (C) He is a long-time political associate of former
    President Lagos and the two remain very close.  He is also
    close to President Bachelet, who appointed him as director of
    TVN (National Television) shortly after she assumed the
    presidency.  Vidal is respected within the Concertacion
    coalition and is described by Concertacion contacts as
    ambitious, politically shrewd and loyal.  He was accessible
    to the Embassy and generally supportive of bilateral security
    and intelligence cooperation during his brief stint as
    Interior Minister at the end of the Lagos presidency.

    ¶11. (U) His academic and NGO positions include Dean of the
    Economic Science and Administrative faculty of Universidad
    Central (1998-1999) and Executive Director of Chile 21
    Foundation (1994-2000), a center-left think tank that advises
    Socialist Party and Party for the Democracy government
    officials, political figures and members of Congress.

    ¶12. (U) A member of the PPD, Vidal served as the party's
    vice-president from 1996 to 2000.  Vidal is a professor of
    history and geography with a master's degree in history from
    the University of Chile.  Vidal does not speak English.
    SIMONS

    =======================CABLE ENDS============================

`