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DE RUEHSG #0455 1332028
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R 132028Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4939
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 3976
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 2421
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RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000455 
 
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TAGS:                
SUBJECT:  CHILE MEDIA REPORT - MAY 13 
 
Leading Story 
------------- 
 1.  Health authorities are facing criticism for decreeing only a 
"preventive smog alert" in Santiago when the levels of pollution 
recorded was "critical" in the community of Cerro Navia and "poor" 
in fou others.  As in previous years, the poorest areas of the city 
had the worst levels of air pollution. 
 
U.S.-Related News 
----------------- 
 2.  President Obama appointed Chilean Arturo Valenzuela for 
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. 
Captioned photograph says: "Valenzuela will 'rebuild' the 
relationship with Latin America." 
 
 3.  Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Alberto van Klaveren: "It's great 
news that makes us very proud.  He is a very capable professional 
who hasn't lost touch with his country of origin."  RN Senator 
Sergio Romero: "Someone with Valenzuela's academic background and 
knowledge... will help bring Latin America closer to the U.S. 
government."  PS Senator Jaime Gazmuri: "I hope this helps establish 
the most flowing relations possible with the United States." Jorge 
Pizarro, Senate Foreign relations committee (DC): "Arturo knows the 
region and has contact with all countries.  It's a sign that brings 
Obama closer to the region" (El Mercurio, conservative, influential 
newspaper-of-record, circ. 129,000, 5/13). 
 
 4.  Government spokesman Carolina Toha:  "Valenzuela is a man of 
great experience and knowledge about the processes that are 
occurring in Latin America....  It (his appointment) gives a special 
emphasis to relations with Latin America" (El Mercurio, 5/13). 
 
IPR 
--- 
 5. According to an International Data Corporation (IDC) and Business 
Software Alliance (BSA) report, 67% of software programs used in 
Chile is pirated.  This makes Chile one of the three countries in 
the region that registered an increase of its piracy rate in 2008. 
The figure could undermine Chile's efforts to join the OECD, whose 
members have only a 36% average piracy rate (El Mercurio; Diario 
Financiero, business and financial, circ. 30,000, 5/13). 
 
On-Line Presidential Debate 
--------------------------- 
 6.  The Universidad del Desarrollo is organizing an on-line 
presidential debate on May 19 at 9am that will be aired live on the 
Internet, and broadcast by Radio Bio Bio and CNN-Chile.  The 
candidates have yet to confirm their participation (La Segunda, 
conservative, afternoon, circ. 33,000, 5/12). 
 
Environment 
----------- 
 7.  Minister of the Environment Ana Lya Uriarte has called on 
electricity generators Colbun and AES Gener to use liquid natural 
gas rather that diesel in their plants. Uriarte reminded both 
holdings that the authorization to burn diesel is only valid when 
there is no alternative fuel (Diario Financiero, 5/13). 
SIMONS