Cablegate: Argentina Interested in Hosting Small Arms and Light Weapons

VZCZCXYZ0031
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0076 0271918
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271916Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0379
INFO RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000076

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC MARR MCAP MOPS PARM PREL MASS AR
SUBJECT: Argentina Interested in Hosting Small Arms and Light Weapons
Conference, with Caveat

REF: STATE 5185

1. (U) Action request for Department in para 5.

2. (U) Deputy Pol Couns discussed the proposal (reftel) to co-host
with Argentina a regional conference on small arms and light
weapons (SA/LW) traffic with Alberto Dojas, Deputy Director for the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office on International Security,
Nuclear and Space Affairs (DIGAN) and with responsible DIGAN
officer Laura Zerillo. Dojas emphasized that Argentina had a
strong interest in the issue and was disposed to work with the
United States on such a conference. They had no immediate comments
on the draft agenda.

3. (SBU) Dojas reacted with concern to the proposed list of
invitees, however, saying that Argentina could not be co-host to a
South America focused conference that included Brazil and all the
Spanish-speaking countries except Venezuela. While he did not
propose that the USG would have to extend funding for Venezuelan
participation, he did say that Argentina would need to be able to
invite that government. Dojas understood that we had grouped
Guyana and Suriname into the Caribbean for a similar conference but
suggested that Argentina might want to invite those countries as
well. A DIGAN colleague also in the meeting mentioned that SA/LW
traffic from Suriname to Brazil was a significant problem and that
it would be worthwhile to include these countries.

4. (SBU) Dojas also suggested that the role of U.S. Southern
Command in funding participation would need to be downplayed and
that the Department of State's lead role on the USG-side
emphasized.

5. (SBU) Action Request: Department guidance is requested on
whether Argentina can extend invitations to Venezuela, Guyana and
Suriname. If the answer on Venezuela is negative, we would
recommend against pressing Argentina to co-host.
MARTINEZ

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