VZCZCXYZ0024
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #1996/01 2781856
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051856Z OCT 07 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9431
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001996
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 PARIS CLUB DEBT; PRESS FREEDOM;
PAINFUL INTERROGATION TACTICS; 10/05/07
1. SUMMARY STATEMENT
Today's leading international stories cover the IMF waiting until
after Argentine presidential elections to engage on Paris Club debt
issues; media owners charging that press freedom is curtailed in
Argentina; and commentary on the USG reportedly authorizing painful
interrogation tactics against terror suspects.
2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS
- "The IMF will wait until a new Argentine president is elected
before supporting Paris Club debt negotiations"
Ana Barsn, leading "Clarn's" Washington-based correspondent, writes
(10/04) "In spite of the progress made by the Argentine diplomacy in
the political field, no one expects in Washington that Argentina and
the IMF can reach an understanding that will unblock negotiations
with the Paris Club before the new Argentine Government takes over
in December.
"In response to a question on this issue, the IMF spoksperson,
Masood Ahmed went right to the point: 'We continue holding regular
productive talks with Argentine Government officials and I can
anticipate that we'll start next consultations in the framework of
Section 4 shortly after the new government takes over.'
"Following the meeting between US Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice and FM Jorge Taiana, the Department of State made it clear that
Argentina could negotiate (the settlement of its debt to) the Paris
Club without a formal deal with the IMF that could impose
conditionality. A USG official said 'However, you have to reach a
political understanding.'
"The IMF told 'Clarn' that the 'understanding' will probably focus
on the so-called reinforced Section 4, along the lines of that
implemented in Brazil in 1994. This means that the IMF could review
the Argentine economy every six months instead of once a year.
"If this is true, Masood's remarks indicate that nothing will really
change until the new government takes over."
- "The White House is reported to have secretly authorized torture
in interrogations"
Hugo Alconada Mon, daily-of-record "La Nacisn's" Washington-based
correspondent, writes (10/05) "According to 'The New York Times,' in
the shadows, without reporting to Congress and contradicting its
official posture and a new anti-torture federal law, the Bush
administration issued two documents whereby it authorized harsh
interrogation tactics implemented by the CIA.
"The first document was signed in February 2005 shortly after the
arrival of controversial legal advisor to the White House, Alberto
Gonzales, to the US Department of Justice...
"While the White House's spokesperson, Dana Perino, confirmed the
existence of that memorandum and a similar one, which are still in
force, she denied that the US promotes the torture of suspects in
the global war on terrorism started after the September 11 attacks.
"The Democratic opposition reacted with rage at the news. It
promised new investigations and Congressional hearings to determine
the extent of those documents, which have been unknown so far, and
to determine whether Gonzales infringed on some legislation, just
like his bosses at the White House."
- "Concerns over restrictions on press freedom"
Leading "Clarn" editorializes (10/05) "During a recent meeting of
ADEPA (Asociacisn de Entidades Periodsticas Argentinas/Association
of Argentine Journalistic Institutions), concerns over the
governmental restrictions imposed on the media were made manifest.
"On different occasions, different sectors of the government
expressed disgust over journalistic opinions or investigations that
unveiled crimes or misdemeanors committed by the government.
"... The report also criticizes the discretionary use of public
resources, such as those used in official publicity.
"It praises the Supreme Court's statement in favor of strengthening
dialogue in order to create a fluent communication between the
government and society through the media..."
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
WAYNE