VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #0765 1552016
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 032016Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1244
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE USD FAS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000765
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ENRG PGOV PREL AR
SUBJECT: CODEL DODD MEETING WITH NGOS HIGHLIGHTS CIVIL SOCIETY
CONNECTIONS
1. (U) This cable contains sensitive information - not for internet
distribution.
2. (SBU) Ambassador Wayne hosted Senator Christopher Dodd (D - CT)
and Congressman Xavier Becerra (D - CA) at an event featuring key
individuals and organizations representing Argentine civil society.
The group discussed topics ranging from the scourge of drugs to
increasing transparency in government. Several NGO participants
remarked that further development of civil society in Argentina is
essential, given a lack of GOA presence or insufficient GOA
investment in crucial areas like education and law enforcement.
Participants also expressed their appreciation for the embassy's
efforts to support and encourage their work, such as the successful
NGO Fair which Ambassador Wayne hosted in April.
3. (U) Participants included Vivian Perrone of Madres del Dolor (an
NGO that provides legal advice to parents whose children died under
violent circumstances); Bob Hannan of Help Argentina (a nonprofit
organization that assists a network of NGOs and promotes best
practices); Gaston Chillier of CELS (Centro de Estudios Legales y
Sociales, an NGO focused on human rights and democratic
institutions); Guillermo Correa of RACI (Red Argentina para
Cooperacion Internacional, a network of civil society organizations
that encourage international cooperation); Moira Rubio Brennan of
PH15 (a foundation that uses photography workshops to help
under-privileged youth); Beatriz Lobo and Maria Rosa Gonzalez of
Madres del Paco (a group of women combating the "paco" cocaine paste
epidemic); Silvia Guasco of Fundacion Conciencia (an NGO which
encourages civic participation through education); Miguel Braun of
CIPPEC (Centro de Implementacion de Politicas Publicas para la
Equidad y el Crecimiento, a think tank dedicated to issues of social
policy, transparency, and public management); Silvina Vatnick of CEF
(Centro de Estabilidad Financiera, a think tank focused on financial
sector issues); and Rafael Velazquez of FPHV (Fundacion Pro Humanae
Vitae, dedicated to strengthening civil society and promoting
development).
4. (SBU) Several NGO representatives expressed deep frustration with
the GOA's perceived fixation on the Dirty War era and lack of
interest in the current problems which plague Argentina. Vivian
Perrone of Madres del Dolor asked, "Why are our human rights focused
on things that happened thirty years ago when we continue to lose
our children to violence?" Maria Rosa Gonzalez of Madres del Paco
stated that she believes President Fernandez de Kirchner does not
care about the poor families faced with rampant drug use and its
aftereffects.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: Codel Dodd's meeting with NGO representatives
contributed further to the already strong relationship that the
embassy enjoys with many civil society organizations. The NGO
participants clearly appreciated the opportunity to interact with
Senator Dodd and Congressman Becerra, particularly given their
oft-expressed perception that their own elected representatives
generally do not appear to care overly about the issues that concern
them.
6. (U) Senator Dodd cleared this cable.