VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #1875/01 2631201
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201201Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9283
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001875
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; ARGENTINA IN HAITI; IRAQ; US INTEREST RATE;
09/19/07
1. SUMMARY STATEMENT
Key international stories today include Argentina's participation in
the international peace keeping mission in Haiti; the US policy on
Iran; and the US Federal Reserve's decision to lower US interest
rates.
2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS
- "Why should we stay in Haiti?"
Daily-of-record "La Nacisn" carries an opinion piece by Juan Gabriel
Tokatlian, Professor of International Relations at Universidad San
Andrs, writes (09/19) "Pursuant to Resolution 1743 (February, 15,
207), the UN Security Council extended the UN Stabilization Mission
in Haiti (MINUTASH) until October 15, 2007. However, this mission is
very likely to continue because a 561-million-dollar budget was
approved for July 2007- June 2008. Now... we should reassess
Argentina's intervention on the island.
"First and foremost, the mission remains an essentially military
operation...
"In addition, the idea that the military is building democracy in
Haiti is at minimum untrue. Neither is it apparent how much progress
has been made on civilian control of the military through this kind
of mission or how the formation of a more democratic, modern and
efficient Haitian police force will contribute to this confusion of
roles.
"Secondly, the frequently used idea that this has been a
Mercosur-led operation has faded... Venezuela sells oil to Haiti at
preferential prices and favorable terms of payment..., while last
March, Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti created a one-billion-dollar fund
for equipment, building of houses and social and sanitary projects.
It would be absurd now to say that the main reason to stay on the
island is the containment of the 'Havana-Caracas' axis on the
Caribbean.
"Third, given that most of Haiti's serious problems (human rights,
institutional crisis, poverty, drug trafficking) remain unsolved in
spite of an intervention of over three years..., the extension of
the current operation is aimed at perpetuating itself and becoming a
neo-protectorate model sooner rather than later. This is the
strategic core of the issue that has not been made explicit in the
recurring requests for extension of troop deployment...
"In parallel, as long as the mission is extended, its originally
benign purpose becomes more opaque and the intervention becomes an
instrumental- meaning that it is serving humanitarian purposes much
less than it is achieving an international presence for the purpose
of joining the UN Security Council (the Brazilian case) or not
overly irritating the US (the Argentine case)...
"In brief, the time has come to define why we should stay in Haiti
and justify why staying indefinitely is better than withdrawing in a
timely manner. (Argentina's entry) into a presidential campaign is a
decisive time that could give us the opportunity to discuss the
issue and reach a consensus between the government and the
opposition - either staying in Haiti with a concrete strategy,
measurable goals and specific deadlines, or being part of a regional
coalition that promotes an appropriate way out of the island."
- "Adventures"
Marcelo Cantelmi, international editor of leading "Clarn," opines
(09/19) "Last month, the governments of Afghanistan and Iraq,
allegedly Washington's puppets, surprisingly rebelled by telling
George W. Bush that there is no such thing as an Iranian enemy but
an ally against adversaries in common.
"... The episode served to explain the growing contradictions about
the Persian theocracy and the idea of multiplier effects of a war
against the (Iranian) regime. Just as in Iraq, it is not the nuclear
danger that is behind the recent wave of rumors and war-like
attitudes. The issue is the political importance of the Persian
structure in the region and that some fanatics understand that it
can and should be neutralized with consistent bombing. However, we
should see the dilemma with some perspective. Let's see: Iran is a
commercial, military and political ally of Turkey, which is a
privileged partner of Israel. Meanwhile, the governments of Iran and
Afghanistan have a common enemy - the Taliban, which Shiites
despise. The Taliban have spread in Pakistan, a country with which
the Iranian theocracy has good ties, and both of them have good ties
to China. However, Islamabad is also Washington's best partner,
which it needs to help put the Taliban at bay. The situation is
similar with Iraq... In this complicated scenario, simplicity cannot
determine how to plan missions."
- "The US cuts (interest) rates by half a point and alleviates
markets"
Javier Blanco, economic columnist of daily-of-record "La Nacisn,"
writes (09/19) "Last night, the US Federal Reserve announced a half
a percentage point cut in interest rates (4.75 percent per year) in
an attempt to prevent the real estate crisis from taking the economy
into a recession.
"... The decision made by the (US) Federal Reserve surprised the
markets positively and encouraged investors to repurchase risky
assets, after two months of having massively chosen to get rid of
them and seek refuge in 'cover' options, such as US Treasury bonds
and gold.
"While almost no one expects this initiative to put an end to the
period of financial turbulence started last July, expectations are
that it could ease conditions for markets and the economy in
general.
"This was apparent in the positive reaction of stock exchange
indexes around the world... as well as in the reduction of emerging
country risk...
"Nonetheless, in Argentina's case, analysts warn that the recovery
of the market could be circumstantial given that factors feeding
investors' mistrust ... continue, such as claims of tampering with
the prices... or doubts sparked by a deterioration of the
government's fiscal accounts..."
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
WAYNE