INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Usg-the New York Times; Middle East; Us-Peruvian Fta;

Published: Thu 29 Jun 2006 06:04 PM
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UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001465
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TAGS: KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL MEDIA REACTION
SUBJECT: USG-THE NEW YORK TIMES; MIDDLE EAST; US-PERUVIAN FTA;
MORALES TO BUENOS AIRES 06/29/06; BUENOS AIRES
1. SUMMARY STATEMENT
Today's key international stories include the confrontation between
the USG and The New York Times newspaper over the newspaper's
disclosure of the USG's alleged banking espionage; US supporting the
Israeli offensive against the Palestinian territories aimed at
rescuing an Israeli soldier; Peruvian ratification of an FTA with
the US; and Bolivian President Evo Morales' visit to Buenos Aires to
sign a gas deal with Argentine President Nestor Kirchner.
2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES
- "The New York Times charges Bush with power abuse"
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin,"
writes "Yesterday, The New York Times newspaper defended its
decision to make public a White House program implemented to spy on
international financial transactions.
"The revelation generated harsh criticism from (US President) Bush
and members of the US Congress, who accused the newspaper of having
damaged national security, aided terrorists and betrayed the
motherland.
"However, yesterday, the New York Times' editors decided to fire
back and accused Bush of abusing his power. They recalled that every
government attempt to prosecute journalists for publishing
information it preferred to keep quiet never turned out well. The
example mentioned was the infamous 'Pentagon Papers,' during the
Watergate scandal."
- "The US supports the offensive and the EU asks for Israel's
'cautiousness'"
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" reports (06/29) "The US supported
yesterday's offensive launched by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip
to rescue a soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants last Sunday.
The US stated that Israel has a 'right to defend itself.'
"However, Washington asked the Israeli government to assist
Palestinian civilians and avoid the unnecessary destruction of
Gaza's infrastructure.
"The US's open support for the operation differed from the reaction
of the EU and the Arab countries, which were more critical of
Israel. While the EU asked Israel to be 'cautious' and urged it to
resume diplomatic talks to rescue the soldier, the Arab countries
labeled the operation as 'an atrociou deed.'"
- "Almost without debate, the Peruvian Congress hurriedly approves
an FTA with the US"
Angel Paez, on special assignment in Lima for leading "Clarin,"
writes (06/29) "At a speed that surprised President Alejandro Toledo
himself, the (Peruvian) Congress ratified an FTA with the US in less
than six hours by obtaining 79 votes in favor, 14 opposed, and seven
abstentions.
"Last night, members of the National Agrarian Confederation, the
National Union of Farmers, the General Workers Union, among other
popular NGOs, demonstrated in downtown Lima against ratifying the
US-Peruvian FTA. Among the demonstrators, there were some supporters
of Humala..."
- "The Peruvian Congress approved an FTA with the US"
Business-financial "El Cronista" reports (06/29) "Yesterday the
Peruvian Congress ratified an FTA with the US during a tense
session, momentarily suspended when a group of elected legislators
broke in and attempted to prevent a debate over the agreement.
"Thousands of farmers demonstrated along Lima streets with the motto
'Down with the US' in rejection of the approval of the FTA."
- "Kirchner and Morales sign a deal"
Jorge Elias, political columnist of daily-of-record "La Nacion,"
writes (06/29) "Today, during a short visit to Argentina, Bolivian
President Evo Morales will sign a gas deal that will include a rate
increase, with President Nestor Kirchner...
"...Morales will arrive in Buenos Aires at a good time: President
Kirchner openly praised Morales and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
after a shrouded reference to the US during a recent address to the
Spanish House of Representatives."
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website
at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
GUTIERREZ
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