VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #0106/01 0321546
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 011544Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0413
INFO RHMCSUU/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000106
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, I/GWHA, WHA, WHA/PDA, WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC
CDR USSOCOM FOR J-2 IAD/LAMA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KPAO KMDR PREL HA AR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION; HAITI; 1/30/10 -2/1/10; BUENOS AIRES
SUMMARY
-------
1. Most local newspapers reported that ten U.S. Baptists were
arrested after attempting to take 33 children out of Haiti, as well
as on the temporary suspension of U.S. medical evacuation flights
from Haiti. One positive opinion piece emphasized the important
logistic role played by the U.S. in the relief efforts of the
international community. End summary.
U.S. BAPTISTS BEING HELD
AFTER TRYING TO TAKE
33 HAITIAN CHILDREN
------------------------
2. Most local dailies reported on the detention of ten Americans
after they tried to take 33 children out of Haiti, connecting it
with fears over possible child trafficking. Under the headline
"Caribbean pirates," pro-government, left-of-center Pagina 12
front-page (2/1) highlighted that, "While UNICEF warned about child
trafficking in Haiti, ten U.S. citizens were arrested when
attempting to reach Santo Domingo with 33 undocumented children."
The paper quoted two Haitian ministers as saying, "This is not
adoption, but robbery of children."
http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/sociedad/3- 139399-2010-02-01.html
3. In a side-box entitled "The other 'humanitarian' face," Pagina
12 opined, "The U.S. humanitarian help has an ambivalent face. On
the one hand, a group of Americans wanted to provide 'humanitarian'
help by taking 33 undocumented children towards 'a better future,'
as if they were animals. On the other hand, the U.S. army
confirmed it suspended evacuation flights for the Haitians who need
medical attention in the U.S. after the earthquake."
http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/sociedad/su bnotas/139399-45031-20
10-02-01.html
4. Leading circulation Clarin (2/1) reported, "The government
orders now that PM Max Bellerive personally authorize the departure
of every children as a way to prevent child trafficking." (1/30)
leading Clarin reported that Puerto Rican physicians who went to
Haiti on a mission organized by Puerto Rico's Senate took
humiliating pictures of the victims and uploaded them onto
Facebook. The pictures showed smiling Puerto Rican doctors who
lifted cups and bottles of wine and whisky, and others, who were
also smiling, holding weapons lent by Dominican soldiers."
http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/01/30/um/m- 02130661.htm
http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/01/29/um/m- 02129690.htm
5. Under the headline "Trafficking problems in Port-au-Prince,"
centrist Critica de la Argentina subheadline (2/1) read, "Members
of the NGO New Life Children's Refugee explained they were
transferring children to an orphanage in the neighboring country
Dominican Republic." The Haitian government believes this is "a
case of robbery, not an adoption." The paper added, "None of the
children had an I.D. or an official permit to get out of the
country." Business-financial "Ambito Financiero" (02/01) headed,
"Ten U.S. citizens are arrested for trafficking children in Haiti,"
and adds, "They are 33 children between 2 months and 12 years old.
Reportedly, they have family in the country."
http://criticadigital.com/impresa/index.php?s ecc=nota
=37816
http://www.ambito.com/noticia.asp?id=505547
MEDICAL EVACUATION FLIGHTS
TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
--------------------------
6. (1/31) Daily-of-record La Nacion printed an article by AFP and
ANSA wire service agencies reporting that "the U.S. military forces
announced they would suspend medical evacuation flights for
seriously wounded victims of the earthquake until it is determined
who will pay for their medical care." The paper noted that Captain
Kevin Aandahl, spokesperson of Transcom, said, "'Apparently, some
states were not willing to accept the entry of Haitian patients for
a continued medical treatment' of serious injuries."
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1 227881
"THE LONG ROAD TOWARDS
RECONSTRUCTION"
----------------------
7. A positive opinion piece in Critica de la Argentina, by Fulvio
Pompeo, International Relations Chief at the Government of the City
of Buenos Aires, opined, "The international community reacted fast
(to the Haitian earthquake) and over 30 countries lent their
support and cooperation." Pompeo noted that "the significant
logistic role played by the U.S., which was even highlighted by
French President Nicolas Sarkozy," should be emphasized.
http://criticadigital.com/impresa/index.php?s ecc=nota
=37816
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
MARTINEZ