VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #0785 1582013
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 062013Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1277
INFO RHMFISS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000785
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PARM PREL PGOV PTER AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: SCHEDULING THE NEXT POL/MIL BILATERAL
1. (SBU) Summary: Regular bilateral Pol/Mil meetings have
been an integral part of managing and advancing our broad
security relationship with Argentina, from the classic
Pol/Mil issues to counterterrorism and non-proliferation.
The GoA hosted the last Pol/Mil bilaterals in December
2006. It is the Department's turn to host the next meeting.
These encounters serve as a useful adjunct to the recently
revived bilateral framework talks on more general foreign
policy matters between the GoA and USG. Action Request:
Embassy requests that PM and WHA confer and coordinate a
Bilateral Political-Military meeting in Washington for the
September/October timeframe. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of
International Security, Nuclear and Space Issues (DIGAN),
hosted the last Pol/Mil Bilateral meeting in Buenos Aires in
December 2006. Our two countries alternate hosting the
bilaterals, which were intended to be annual, but the
Department did not reciprocate in 2007. These meetings are
an important element in coordinating bilateral security
policy and programs, and complement the annual Mil/Mil
Bilateral Working Group meeting (BWG), the Joint Staffs
bilateral meeting, and the JSCNEC (Joint Standing Committee
on Nuclear Energy Cooperation) meeting. (DOD hosted the BWG
in April in Washington.) The Pol/Mil meetings are
particularly important because they cover the broad range of
the bilateral security relationship, with a focus on policy.
Given the GoA's prohibition of its armed services to
participate in counterterrorism and counternarcotics-related
missions, the Pol/Mil meetings allow us (particularly
Southcom) to discuss these important issues with MFA
authorities in the broader policy context.
3. (SBU) Suggested agenda items could include:
-- Argentine and U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security
Goals
-- Hemispheric Security, to include:
Peacekeeping Operations (Haiti, Southern Cross, other);
Peacekeeping Training (Argentine Initiative: "Asociacion
Latinoamericano de Centros de Paz" -- ALCOPAZ -- that
includes Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru and Argentina).
-- Mil/Mil:
Exercises, Training and Security Assistance;
Argentine and Southcom Defense Transformation (4th Fleet, 6th
Army);
Regional Logistical Opportunities;
Brooke Sanctions: Effect on EDA and FMF.
-- Global Security:
Non-proliferation Issues: PSI, Export Control and Border
Security, Megaports, and CSI;
Global Initiative Against Nuclear Terrorism;
Maritime Security;
Counterterrorism;
Counternarcotics.
4. (SBU) Action Request: Regular (if not annual) Pol/Mil
Bilaterals are an important tool in managing and advancing
the broad range of U.S./Argentine security issues and
cooperation. Argentina is a valued regional and
international partner. The MFA and its Directorate of
International Security, Nuclear and Space Issues (DIGAN) are
generally interested in reviewing and strengthening this
relationship. These encounters serve as a useful adjunct to
the recently revived bilateral framework talks on more
general foreign policy matters between the GoA and USG,
providing a framework for substantive discussions on issues
where we have positive cooperation with Argentina and
demonstrating interest in both capitals in the relationship.
Embassy requests that PM and WHA begin the process of
scheduling and organizing a Pol/Mil Bilateral meeting for the
September-October timeframe.
WAYNE