VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0168/01 0231913
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231913Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3195
INFO RHMFIUU/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000168 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, I/GWHA, WHA, WHA/PDA, WHA/BSC, 
WHA/EPSC 
CDR USSOCOM FOR J-2 IAD/LAMA 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL MEDIA REACTION
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION EVO MORALES PRESIDENTIAL 
INAUGURATION US-ARGENTINE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP WAYNE 
NOMINATION 01/23/06 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT 
 
Weekend stories cover Bolivian President-elect Evo 
Morales' inauguration ceremony and the progress of 
indigenous movements in Latin America; the US attitude 
toward Morales; the US-Argentine relationship; the 
possible nomination of US Assistant Secretary Earl 
Anthony Wayne as the future US ambassador to Benos 
Aires; the US-Uruguayan free trade deal; the 
increasing number of Argentine military trained in the 
US; Iraq's Shiites being confirmed by election 
results; Iran denouncing as "unacceptable" recent 
comments by French President Chirac that France could 
respond with nuclear weapons against any state- 
sponsored terrorist attack; and the World Bank's 
announcement that it will "carefully consider" 
objections to a report on the construction of two pulp 
mills in Uruguay. 
 
¶2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES 
 
- "The silent progress of the indigenous movement in 
Latin America" 
 
Fernando Halperin, international columnist of daily-of- 
record "La Nacion," comments (01/21) "Bolivia is just 
a few hours away from having an indigenous president. 
For some, what is worrying is not this fact but his 
affinity with the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes... 
 
"However, just a few notice that the landslide victory 
of the socialist candidate is the most recent 
expression of an increasingly visible phenomenon -the 
progress made by the indigenous movement in Latin 
America... 
 
"... Miguel Bartolome, an Argentine researcher at the 
National Institute of Anthropology and History of 
Oaxaca, Mexico, told 'La Nacion' 'The trend in favor 
of indigenous participation is a Latin American 
phenomenon. But, the possibility of accessing the 
presidency through elections is a Bolivian 
phenomenon.' 
 
"According to Bartolome, 'The phenomenon is not new, 
but it has always been denied. It was not a silent 
process, but silence was imposed on it'... 'We have 
always considered normal that a minority of 'criollos' 
should rule an indigenous majority.'" 
 
- "Reservation and pragmatism, the US prescription 
regarding Morales" 
 
Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for 
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (01/22) "These 
days, the USG is assessing its new diplomatic strategy 
(a more reserved and pragmatic one) toward brand-new 
Bolivian President Evo Morales and other Latin 
American leaders. 
 
"A/S Tom Shannon will witness today Morales' 
inauguration, which is a noteworthy gesture of 
rapprochement toward a leader who harshly criticized 
President George W. Bush during his election campaign. 
Shannon will also hold private meetings with some of 
the 11 heads of State and representatives of 
delegations that will also participate in the 
inauguration ceremony. 
 
"According to Michael Shifter, VP of the Inter 
American Dialogue, 'Reality should impose itself. The 
US should at least attempt to establish a dialogue 
with Bolivia. It is the minimum the US should do. It 
is both a pragmatic and realistic view. 
 
"... The White House's main challenge regarding 
Bolivia is whether it is in a position to counteract 
the financial and political help already promised by 
Chavez." 
 
- "A gesture of support from Kirchner" 
 
Martin Rodriguez Yebra, on special assignment in La 
Paz for daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (01/22) 
"What matters is the political gesture. President 
Nestor Kirchner will land in El Alto Airport this 
 
 
morning and will leave as soon as Evo Morales is sworn 
in as president of Bolivia... 
 
"Kirchner wanted to give a clear sign of support for 
the Bolivian leader by simply coming and bringing his 
ministers with him... It is a similar delegation to 
the one he called for his recent State visit to 
Brazil." 
 
- "The new US diplomatic outlook" 
 
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent, comments 
(01/23) "During his inauguration, Evo Morales made 
some statements which if made during the Cold War 
could have induced Washington to overthrow him... 
 
"In the name of democracy and anti-Communism, the US 
not only removed governments but supported the worst 
dictatorships in our countries. But, what can it do 
now in view of democratically elected leaders who 
criticize its policies? 
 
"By stating that the diplomacy implemented during the 
Cold War should come to an end, US Secretary of State 
Condoleezza Rice recommended what she termed 
'transformational diplomacy,' which will bring 
hundreds of diplomats to the Middle East, Africa and 
Latin America to open more channels of dialogue and 
interaction with local communities. 
 
"... A/S Shannon is determined to defend US interests 
through a conciliatory strategy. Before leaving for 
Bolivia, Shannon said the US is ready to work with 
Morales, and he praised populist governments because 
they integrate new sectors of society into politics. 
The thorniest issues in the US-Bolivian relationship 
are the future of the   gas supply and coca 
production." 
 
- "The end of apartheid" 
 
Claudio Uriarte, international analyst of left-of- 
center "Pagina 12," writes (01/22) "... Morales' 
inauguration was like the end of apartheid. 
 
"... Morales counts on the support of Venezuelan Hugo 
Chavez on the sensitive hydrocarbon sector.. and 
during his recent European trip, Morales even showed 
some signs of a 'Lula-like' discourse by committing to 
honoring private property and welcoming foreign 
investment. His interviews with Repsol YPF businessmen 
were crucial in this regard. And perhaps the 
resumption of coca-based economy could be, in spite of 
US sanctions, the incentive Evo needs to finance part 
of his project." 
 
- "Bolivia and the arrival of a new realistic leader" 
 
Marcelo Cantelmi, international editor of leading 
"Clarin," comments (01/21) "Morales has been changing 
his tough election campaign... During his 
international tour, he sought to increase 
international bankers and investors' confidence... 
 
"As many of his counterparts that are winning power in 
the region, Morales knows that the only way to survive 
is by alleviating inequity, which is the main factor 
of political and economic instability in Bolivia. If 
he does not manage to do it, there will be room for no 
one, not even for multinational corporations. This is 
the message of his victory... Evo Morales is not a 
Marxist, but a realistic leader. 
 
"It is not by chance that Washington has now revalued 
the mediating power of countries or populist 
governments, which it has pejoratively referred to so 
far. For Morales it will not be an easy road. He is a 
non-experienced leader who reached the government 
strongly supported by excluded sectors, which does not 
hide its 'pincer' form." 
 
- "Bordon, increasingly further from the US" 
 
Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for 
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (01/21) "According 
to Argentine government officials and diplomats, 
 
 
President Kirchner could replace Argentine Ambassador 
to the White House Jose Octavio Bordon in the next 
weeks as part of an official strategy to renew the US- 
Argentine bilateral relationship. 
 
"... It happened here that Federal Planning Minister 
Julio De Vido excluded Bordon in negotiations to bring 
15 first-level businessmen to Argentina. 
 
"According to rumors in Washington, De Vido, one of 
President Kirchner's most trusted men, agreed with A/S 
Tom Shannon during a meeting in Buenos Aires that 
Hector Timerman, consul to New York, will be the 
Argentine coordinator of said business tour to Buenos 
Aires along with US Ambassador to Buenos Aires Lino 
Gutierrez." 
 
- "Wayne moved on one more step on his road to Buenos 
Aires" 
 
Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for 
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (01/21) "The 
nomination of current US Assistant Secretary for 
Economic and Business Affairs Earl Anthony Wayne as 
the new Ambassador to Buenos Aires has received 
conclusive support. 
 
"According to official and foreign sources of the 
Republican administration, US Secretary of State 
Condoleezza Rice endorsed his nomination and sent it 
to President George W. Bush for his final approval... 
According to a US diplomatic source, 'Rice's signature 
is powerful to end the selection process and the 
discussion promoted by an interested source.' 'The 
president could still reject his name, but he is 
highly unlikely to do so.' 
 
"... According to US sources, 'Wayne offered the DCM 
position to an old friend of Argentina, Michael 
Matera, current chief-of-Staff of the State 
Department's number two, Robert Zoellick, and Matera 
is reported to have accepted it. 
 
"... According to an unidentified friend of Wayne, 
'the fact that Wayne is recruiting people he trusts 
shows that his nomination is almost a fact and that 
the US State Department (career line) defeated the 
most conservative ones.'" 
 
- "Kirchner shows a more conciliatory attitude toward 
foreign countries" 
 
Jose Ignacio Llados, political columnist of daily-of- 
record "La Nacion," writes (01/23) "... Ever since the 
visit of A/S Thomas Shannon, (President) Kirchner has 
conveyed signs to strengthen Mercosur, hinted it is 
quite 'logical' to pay a higher price for the Bolivian 
gas supply, said that Lula was one of the 'big 
presidents in the history of Brazil,' confirmed his 
commercial rapprochement with Venezuela, said he will 
reinforce his political ties with Chile, and worked 
hard to retune the country with the US. 
 
"After months of tension, eleven days of an intense 
international agenda let him rectify his road and show 
a different image." 
 
- "Kirchner, between the charrua fury and the samba's 
heat" 
 
Fernando Laborda, political columnist of daily-of- 
record "La Nacion," writes (01/22) "During the last 
few days, President Nestor Kirchner warned that the 
dispute with Uruguay due to the pulp mills was more 
serious than what he thought at the beginning. This is 
why he tried to downplay the discussion even with the 
governor of Entre Rios, Jorge Busti. He termed the 
problem 'an environmental issue' and publicly 
supported an eventual Uruguayan decision to reach a 
free trade deal with the US (no matter if this 
contradicts Mercosur's protocol). 
 
"... The summit held among Kirchner, Lula and Chavez 
made progress on the construction of a monumental 
pipeline that will join part of South America but it 
also brought doubts over who will finance it. 
 
 
 
 
"Less enthusiasm was raised by Chavez' idea of crating 
a Bank of the South, which, should be formed through 
the contribution of half of the international reserves 
of Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. A high-ranking 
source of the Argentine government tactfully said 
'Today, we are not evaluating this possibility.' 
Chavez will have to wait." 
 
- "Brazil downplays a US-Uruguayan free trade deal" 
 
Eleonora Gosman, on special assignment in Brasilia for 
leading "Clarin," writes (01/21) "One day after the 
Brasilia summit among Kirchner, Lula and Chavez, there 
appeared some disagreement between Argentina and 
Brazil on what strategy to follow with Uruguay in the 
event Tabare Vazquez decides to sign a free trade deal 
with the US. 
 
"Kirchner revealed some degree of political 
flexibility that does not seem to be 100% shared with 
the Brazilian government... According to Marco Aurelio 
Garcia, Lula's presidential advisor on foreign 
affairs, if Uruguay seeks to intensify its trade with 
Washington, 'we do agree.' But, 'an eventual free 
trade deal is something quite different. There are 
treaties and treaties, and we are worried about it.'" 
 
- "According to a Washington expert, 'The US sees 
social problems as military ones' 
 
Yolanda Yebra, political columnist of centrist 
newspaper "Perfil," writes (01/22) "Adam Isacson, 
expert in defense, security and drug trafficking in 
Latin America and head of the Center for International 
Policy Programs, explains the purpose of the US 
military aid for Argentina and he warns that the US 
sees social problems from a military point of view. 
 
"... The most important thing for Bush is that those 
countries receiving aid will respond to his concept of 
democracy and free market agenda. Also, security is 
crucial for our administration and the frequent 
regional instability, added to the fact that we are a 
bit militarist, makes us see the social problems of 
the hemisphere from a military perspective." 
 
¶3. EDITORIALS 
 
- "Search for alternatives in South America" 
 
An editorial in leading "Clarin" reads (01/22) "The 
region presents a scenario of big movements and 
realignments, which is a consequence of new political 
solutions and the search for ways out of old economic 
problems with the energy issue as a backdrop. 
 
"... While this realignment was taking place, the 
Uruguayan Government announced its purpose of reaching 
a free trade deal with the US, which could infringe on 
the Mercosur agreement. 
 
"Uruguay believes it has received an unfair treatment 
from its largest partners. It is still unknown whether 
this announcement is a form of protest to obtain 
concessions or whether there is a steady purpose to 
seek a deal with the US and what benefits are expected 
from it. 
 
"Uruguay's reaction has made it obvious that big 
partners have not taken into account the situation of 
those with less economic capability, as did happen in 
the European integration process. Big partners should 
review their stance if they decide to maintain 
Mercosur." 
 
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our 
classified website at: 
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
The Media Reaction Report reflects articles and 
opinions by the cited news media and do not 
necessarily reflect U.S. Embassy policy or views.  The 
Public Affairs Section does not independently verify 
information.  The report is intended for internal U.S. 
Government use only. 
 
 
 
GUTIERREZ