VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #1283 1831758
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021758Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8563
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6319
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6184
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACS 1322
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JUL MONTEVIDEO 6551
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0546
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001283
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR INL/PC FOR CHRISTINE CLINE AND NEGAH ANGHA
DEPT FOR INL/C/CP FOR JOHN BRANDOLINO, ROBERT GIFFORD, DAVID LUNA
AND DIANE Kohn
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KCRM KJUS PGOV PTER SNAR AR
SUBJECT: ACTIVE ABROAD, STYMIED AT HOME; ARGENTINA'S ANTI-CORRUPTION
OFFICE STRUGGLES TO CHANGE A CULTURE OF CORRUPTION
REF: SECSTATE 43557
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On June 26, Ambassador Wayne met with head of the
Office of Anticorruption, Dr. Abel Fleitas Ortiz de Rozas to discuss
possible increased cooperation on anti-corruption issues. Fleitas
highlighted his office's very active participation in international
anti-corruption conventions, but stressed the importance of working
bilaterally with the U.S. to combat corruption. He described his
office's efforts to change the current Argentine cultural tolerance
of corruption through promoting transparency, prevention campaigns,
improved investigations, and more efficient prosecution. Fleitas
had three specific requests for assistance: a series of digital
video-conferences on cross examination/expert witnesses, attending
the next conference of the Council on Government Ethics Law (COGEL),
and participating in the State Department's International Visitor
programs and other exchange programs. Post has already facilitated
contact with COGEL and will work with the Office of Government
Ethics in Washington to facilitate the DVC series, as well as
consider OA staff for IV programs. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) On June 26, Ambassador Wayne and emboffs met with head of
the Office of Anticorruption (OA), Dr. Abel Fleitas Ortiz de Rozas.
(See SEPTEL for background of the Anticorruption Office.) Fleitas
opened by describing some of the challenges Argentina faces in its
fight against corruption: a general public tolerance of corruption,
the lack of a culture of transparency, and a slow and cumbersome
legal system that hinders his office's ability to successfully
prosecute cases. He mentioned that, while his office has brought
many cases to trial, there are far fewer convictions. Fleitas
requested USG assistance in strengthening the OA's skills in oral
arguments, particularly related to cross-examination and their use
of expert witness testimony. He was interested in Ambassador
Wayne's offer to facilitate a series of digital video conferences
with our Department of Justice on the topic.
3. (SBU) Fleitas highlighted his office's very active participation
in international anti-corruption conventions. He mentioned
Argentina's participation in the Conference of State Parties (COSP)
related to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC),
the Mechanism for Follow-up on the Implementation of the
Inter-American Convention Against Corruption (MESICIC), and the
OECD's Anti-bribery convention. He cited Argentina's participation,
along with the USG, in the pilot evaluation program of the UNCAC.
He expressed appreciation for the USG's leadership role in promoting
these conventions and gratitude for our recent offer of assistance
with the UNCAC checklist (REFTEL).
4. (SBU) Ortiz de Rozas also discussed the OA's efforts to change
the current Argentine cultural tolerance of corruption through
promoting transparency, prevention campaigns, improved
investigations, and more efficient prosecution. He expressed
admiration for what he called the U.S. culture of transparency and
its history of whistleblowers, and discussed a few recent projects
to raise awareness of the problems of corruption. Fleitas expressed
interest in attending the annual conference of the Council on
Government Ethics Law (COGEL), which includes as a member the U.S.
Government Office of Government Ethics - a long-time partner of the
OA. He also expressed interest in how participation in
international exchanges and visitor programs might help improve the
expertise of his staff.
5. (SBU) Post has already facilitated contact with COGEL for the
OA and passed the conference registration form and schedule to
Fleitas's office. Post plans to work with the Office of Government
Ethics in Washington to facilitate the DVC series, which may involve
some coordination with the Department of Justice. Post will work
with the LEGATT to identify appropriate experts on oral proceedings.
Post will also continue to consider OA staff for IV programs and
other professional exchanges.
Wayne
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