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Cablegate: Media Reaction: Honduras; Al Gore to Argentina; 10/15/09;

Published: Thu 15 Oct 2009 04:49 PM
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FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4478
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UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001131
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TAGS: KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: HONDURAS; AL GORE TO ARGENTINA; 10/15/09;
BUENOS AIRES
1. SUMMARY STATEMENT
Today's leading international stories are related to the agreement
reached by Honduran negotiators, which is aimed at ending a
political crisis triggered by President Manuel Zelaya's ouster; and
the visit of former US Vice President Al Gore to Argentina and his
lecture on climate change in Buenos Aires province.
2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS
- "The best possible deal, although it is far from the ideal one"
Marcelo Falak, business-financial "Ambito Financiero's"
international columnist, opines (10/15), "The international
community, particularly the part that is interested in the Honduran
crisis, has good reasons to celebrate the principle of agreement
that seems to have been reached on the re-democratization of the
country.
"Nonetheless, one should notice that this celebration has a lot to
do with relief, given that coup mongers were too close to setting a
new and dangerous precedent for the region. On second thoughts, have
they not got their way?
"... In principle, one should bear in mind that international
pressure is on the verge of restoring to power an ousted, kidnapped
and deported president (regardless of the mistakes that he must have
made).
"... This outcome is the best possible due to many reasons, such as
Zelaya's political inability to lead an uprising to return to the
government... Anyway, one should acknowledge that coup mongers will
largely get their way: they managed to hold Zelaya for almost four
months, once he is restored to power he will face strong
restrictions, they maintained the election calendar that will put an
end to a populist experiment, and they will get rid of the judicial
sanctions that should be imposed on them."
- "A symbolic restitution?"
Leading "Clarin's" international columnist Pablo Biffi writes
(10/15), "Both the entourage of Honduran ousted president Manuel
Zelaya and the de facto Micheletti administration have spoken
yesterday of 'progress' in negotiations in restoring Zelaya to
power...
"More than 100 days after the coup d'etat, it is hard to imagine
what reasons Zelaya's supporters may have to show optimistic when
they are not quite sure that 'Mel' will immediately be restored to
the government with full powers and honors...
"What seems clear is that the coup mongers' only goal was and still
is that Zelaya does not return, and if he does so, that he is barely
a symbol - (that Zelaya returns) just a few days before his term in
office is over only to legitimize the president-elect in November 29
elections. And it is also clear that since Zelaya was ousted,
Micheletti has only been a front for the real power behind the coup
and that he could leave the stage to give way to a third party who
might make appear as 'institutional' what is clearly illegal and
illegitimate. This seems to be the reason why Micheletti wants the
Supreme Court (an ally of coup mongers) and not the Congress to
decide whether Zelaya, who has little popular support, should return
to power, when and under which conditions. If this is so, the
tendency to stage coups d'etat will have been created and their goal
will be met, and this will set a dangerous precedent for the
region."
- "The countdown started"
Daily-of-record "La Nacion's" columnist Laura Rocha comments
(10/15), "Former US Vice President Al Gore arrived in our country
less than two months away from the Copenhagen Summit, which will
debate a new limit on greenhouse gas emissions, which are mostly
produced by developed countries.
"Nobel Peace Prize Winner Al Gore said: 'There is big hope in the
upcoming Copenhagen Summit. I know my country has the main
responsibility and I expect this time a world commitment is
reached.'
"Nonetheless, Gore acknowledged yesterday something that has many
times been said about international institutions: 'I do not think
the G20 or the UN have the capacity of reaching a deal. Many times
those meetings are only held for the photo-op. The UN is not
effective either, except when they work along with world leaders,
like in the UN General Assembly or the UN Security Council.'
"This is why, according to Gore, it is necessary to strengthen
carbon dioxide markets, which will be paid to non-pollutant
countries...
"Only Europe and Japan are really working to achieve this purpose.
Even though Gore assured that 931 American cities supported the
Kyoto proposal, the US still contributes a good share to world
pollution.
"However, the most important focus of debate in preparation for the
summit is the aid for poor countries, which is estimated to be no
less than 100 billion dollars per year so that they can face climate
change-related expenditures and adapt themselves to the new weather
trends.
"All these topics will be dealt with in only 52 days. The countdown
has started."
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
MARTINEZ
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