Evo in Spain: The New York Times Invents a Chill

One of my favorite movies is Woody Allen’s Annie Hall. In it there is a funny scene in which Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are shown in a split screen, each talking to their New York shrinks. Each shrink asks, “How often do you have sex?” Allen replies, Hardly ever, maybe every two weeks. Keaton replies, Constantly, every two weeks.

Today’s news coverage of Evo Morales trip to Spain is equally schizophrenic. In the case of the New York Times, suspiciously so.

Today’s Cochabamba daily, Los Tiempos, has a big picture on the front page of Morales and Spain’s King Juan Carlos beaming at one another. On page three it has a similar photo of Morales sharing a beaming greeting with Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. It also reports the announcement by the Spanish government that it will forgive Bolivia of $120 million in debt, to support new literacy efforts in the country.

Similarly the BBC led its coverage with the debt announcement, Spain to Write Off Bolivian Debt, and noted Morales’ meetings with the king, the prime minister and Spanish corporate leaders.

All this makes the New York Times’ coverage, from reporter Renwick McLean, all the more odd.

The Times headlines its article, Bolivian Receives a Chilly Reception in Spain. It then begins, “After receptions in Cuba and Venezuela this week and last that included marching bands, red carpets and praise for his stand against American "imperialism," Evo Morales, the president-elect of Bolivia, encountered a chillier welcome in Spain on Wednesday as he began a three-nation tour of Europe.”

The article makes no mention of Spain’s debt relief announcement and no mention of his Morales’ visit with the King. It also reports that Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero “refused to appear with Morales at a news conference” and that the main opposition leader in the Parliament declined to even visit with him.

Spanish officials explained the latter two points as a matter of protocol, given that Evo is still not formally the head of state. But the Times paints all this as a deliberate political snub.

The paper speculates, with no government sources, “But Mr. Zapatero also appeared determined on Wednesday to keep his distance from Mr. Morales, perhaps wary of the criticism that Spanish policies have drawn from the United States and some European officials for advocating more active engagement with Cuba and Venezuela, Mr. Morales's two chief allies.”

If all you read about the visit was the Times coverage you might really believe that Bolivia’s president-elect did get a chilly reception in Madrid. You would also have a very misleading picture. And maybe that is the Times intent.

Perhaps I don’t fully understand the subtleties of international diplomatic symbolism. But if I invite someone to my house, introduce them to all the important people in my family and then tell them, “Hey, that $120 million you owe me, don’t worry about it,” well I think that is one pretty darn warm reception.

You want chilly reception?

Sorry Evo, the King is really busy that day, I think he is playing golf.

Sorry Mr. Morales, the Prime Minister is all booked up, national shoe week you know. And about that $120 million you owe us…

That’s how you do chilly.

The Times coverage on this seems so off the mark that it, well, seems deliberate. Let us not forget the powerful role that the Times played in helping promote the Bush administration’s failed intelligence of about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The nation’s daily newspaper became a key element in the Bush propaganda machine, only to have to deliver a heavy mea culpa later.

All this leads to one question. What is behind this new episode of New York Times spin, this time against Morales?