VZCZCXYZ0008
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #0152/01 0401951
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 091950Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0494
INFO RHMCSUU/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000152
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 AR IR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM; 2/9/10; BUENOS AIRES
SUMMARY
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1. Iran's announcement that it is enriching uranium to 20% was
widely covered in Argentine newspapers, focusing on U.S. and French
discussions in Paris over new sanctions. Articles contained quotes
from top U.S. and French officials denouncing Iran's policies and
renewing calls for the UN Security Council to approve new
sanctions, despite continued opposition from China and other UN
Security Council members. Additionally, conservative Ambito
Financiero published an opinion from a former Argentine Deputy
Foreign Minister stating "why it is urgent to stop Tehran." End
summary.
2. Luisa Corradini, second-largest daily La Nacion's
correspondent in France, covered Defense Secretary Gates' meeting
with his French counterpart. Corradini writes that the U.S. "wants
to take advantage" of France's presidency of the Security Council
and pass new sanctions, but faces opposition from "emerging
countries." While China's opposition is the "principle obstacle,"
Corradini notes Brazil "favors dialogue with Tehran" while Turkey
"never hides its hostility towards new sanctions," suggesting it
may come down to wild cards such as Nigeria, with Western diplomats
"not knowing its position."
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1 231069
3. Left-leaning, pro-government Pagina 12's correspondent in
France also wrote an article stating that President Obama and
French President Nicolas Sarkozy "could not be more in agreement"
over condemning Iran's announcement. The article also covered
Secretary Gates' visit and quoted his declaration that the only way
to stop Iran is "through pressure." However, the article also
notes that while Russia has now "put itself a little more on the
Western side," China is still opposed to sanctions as it "would
complicate things more."
http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elmundo/4-1 39889-2010-02-09.html
4. Conservative financial daily Ambito Financiero printed an
opinion article from former Argentine Deputy Foreign Minister
Roberto Moritan on "why it is urgent to stop Tehran." Moritan
believes that Iran's announcement to enrich uranium to 20% is not a
strategy to "improve negotiations" but rather a sign of "clear
provocation." Moritan states that the "situation requires urgent
[diplomatic] action," but notes that China needs to "weigh the risk
of a larger confrontation with the U.S." if China does not support
sanctions, and that Brazil and Turkey need to clearly state on
"which side of the table they are."
http://www.ambito.com/diario/noticia.asp?id=5 06982
5. Largest-circulation daily Clarin, English-daily Buenos Aires
Herald, and financial dailies Buenos Aires Economico, El Cronista,
and Ambito Financiero printed newswires from the Associated Press
(AP) and EFE about the international reaction to Iran's
announcement. The newswires state that for the U.S. and France,
Iran's announcement "marked the failure of negotiations" and the
demand "to take the road towards economic and diplomatic
sanctions." Additionally, a couple of the articles note that
Iran's "rapid reversal" towards shunning diplomatic talks could be
a "sign of agitation" in the government over the disputed elections
last year and the Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on February
11.
http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/02/09/elmun do/i-02136231.htm
http://www.buenosairesherald.com/BreakingNews /View/24809
http://www.cronista.com/notas/220498-eeuu-y-e uropa-exigen-sanciones
-contra-iran
http://www.ambito.com/diario/noticia.asp?id=5 06981
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website
at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
MARTINEZ