Cablegate: Media Reaction; Argentine President Nestor Kirchner To

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DE RUEHBU #1488/01 2131821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011821Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8789
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001488

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, I/GWHA, WHA, WHA/PDA, WHA/BSC,
WHA/EPSC
CDR USSOCOM FOR J-2 IAD/LAMA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION; ARGENTINE PRESIDENT NESTOR KIRCHNER TO
MEXICO; AMIA BOMBING CASE; 08/01/07

1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Today's major international stories are related to President
Kirchner's criticism of the wall along the US-Mexican border; and
the US Lower House's resolution asking Interpol to issue
international warrants for the capture of Iranian and Lebanese
suspects in the attack against AMIA.

2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS

- "Alliance with Mexico"

Conservative "La Prensa" editorializes (08/01) "After two years of
noteworthy distance (between Mexico and Argentina), the Argentine
President's visit to Mexico has shown a change that will obviously
impact on the regional balance, commercial exchange and the
consolidation of a strategic alliance that will be inherited by the
next government to be elected in October.

"The signature of a Strategic Association Agreement thus becomes the
cornerstone of a diplomatic strategy for the two nations intended to
redefine their role in Latin American leadership. Our country has
again looked to Mexico now that it faces an energy crisis and after
the significant absence of the Venezuelan President from the
Mercosur summit in Paraguay.

"... Mexico's integration to Mercosur is an initiative that is
backed by other Mercosur members..., although Mexico's ultimate
purpose not only seems to be Mercosur but some mechanism allowing
for the inclusion of every Latin American trade relationship through
ALADI...

"Additionally, the two governments are committed to mutually
supporting each other in their bids for a non permanent seat at the
UN Security Council... "

- "Kirchner surprisingly criticizes Washington"

Mariana Veron, on special assignment in Mexico, D.F., for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (08/01) "He surprised half of
the delegation except for two persons who are in his close
entourage. President Nestor Kirchner chose his visit as head of
State to Mexico to harshly criticize the US. He did so yesterday
morning at the Mexican Senate by calling 'an insult' the wall that
is being built by the Bush administration on the US-Mexican border.

"Kirchner told 40 lawmakers who applauded him on foot for his
determined confrontation with US immigration policy: 'In the name of
Argentina, I want to make clear that the Argentine people, myself
and those accompanying me repudiate the construction of the
insulting wall that is being built on the US-Mexican border...

"The president urged the Bush administration to 'sincerely' reflect
on this issue, because these are times of 'respect for integration.'
He added 'It is not only an insult to Mexicans but to all the
peoples of the world.'

"... The Argentines who accompanied the President termed his
empathic words towards Mexico a 'very brave and worthy gesture.'
Ties between Kirchner and Bush are at a freezing point following
their confrontation at the 2005 Mar del Plata Summit of the Americas
over the future of the FTAA.

"After this episode, Kirchner visited the US..., but had no contact
whatsoever with US authorities.

"The official purpose of strengthening the Argentine-Mexican
relationship ever since the Argentine President arrived in this
city, plus the gestures of mutual friendship between Kirchner and
Calderon, was completed with the President's gesture. This was
demonstrated not only by the President's blunt rejection of the
fence but also by his grateful statements to Mexicans for having
harbored hundreds of Argentine exiles during the latest military
dictatorship."

- "AMIA - the US Congress asks for the capture of Iranians"

Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin,"
writes (08/01) "Last Monday, the US House of Representatives passed
a resolution asking Interpol to carry out its March decision and
issue international warrants for the capture of Iranian and Lebanese
suspects in the attack against the AMIA... As expected, the Lower
House's resolution again condemned the terrorist attack.

"The US lawmakers' strong message... also paid homage to the victims
and praised the Argentine Government for 'its efforts' to
investigate the case. According to Ileana Ros-Lethinen, a Republican

legislator from the State of Florida, ever since the AMIA case probe
started..., evidence targeted Hezbollah and Iran, its 'sponsoring
nation.'"

To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires

WAYNE

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