VZCZCXYZ0015
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1465/01 1801804
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 291804Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5078
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001465 
 
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: USG-THE NEW YORK TIMES; MIDDLE EAST; US-PERUVIAN FTA; 
MORALES TO BUENOS AIRES 06/29/06; BUENOS AIRES 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT 
 
Today's key international stories include the confrontation between 
the USG and The New York Times newspaper over the newspaper's 
disclosure of the USG's alleged banking espionage; US supporting the 
Israeli offensive against the Palestinian territories aimed at 
rescuing an Israeli soldier; Peruvian ratification of an FTA with 
the US; and Bolivian President Evo Morales' visit to Buenos Aires to 
sign a gas deal with Argentine President Nestor Kirchner. 
 
¶2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES 
 
- "The New York Times charges Bush with power abuse" 
 
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin," 
writes "Yesterday, The New York Times newspaper defended its 
decision to make public a White House program implemented to spy on 
international financial transactions. 
 
"The revelation generated harsh criticism from (US President) Bush 
and members of the US Congress, who accused the newspaper of having 
damaged national security, aided terrorists and betrayed the 
motherland. 
 
"However, yesterday, the New York Times' editors decided to fire 
back and accused Bush of abusing his power. They recalled that every 
government attempt to prosecute journalists for publishing 
information it preferred to keep quiet never turned out well. The 
example mentioned was the infamous 'Pentagon Papers,' during the 
Watergate scandal." 
 
- "The US supports the offensive and the EU asks for Israel's 
'cautiousness'" 
 
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" reports (06/29) "The US supported 
yesterday's offensive launched by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip 
to rescue a soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants last Sunday. 
The US stated that Israel has a 'right to defend itself.' 
 
"However, Washington asked the Israeli government to assist 
Palestinian civilians and avoid the unnecessary destruction of 
Gaza's infrastructure. 
 
"The US's open support for the operation differed from the reaction 
of the EU and the Arab countries, which were more critical of 
Israel. While the EU asked Israel to be 'cautious' and urged it to 
resume diplomatic talks to rescue the soldier, the Arab countries 
labeled the operation as 'an atrociou deed.'" 
 
- "Almost without debate, the Peruvian Congress hurriedly approves 
an FTA with the US" 
 
Angel Paez, on special assignment in Lima for leading "Clarin," 
writes (06/29) "At a speed that surprised President Alejandro Toledo 
himself, the (Peruvian) Congress ratified an FTA with the US in less 
than six hours by obtaining 79 votes in favor, 14 opposed, and seven 
abstentions. 
 
"Last night, members of the National Agrarian Confederation, the 
National Union of Farmers, the General Workers Union, among other 
popular NGOs, demonstrated in downtown Lima against ratifying the 
US-Peruvian FTA. Among the demonstrators, there were some supporters 
of Humala..." 
 
- "The Peruvian Congress approved an FTA with the US" 
 
Business-financial "El Cronista" reports (06/29) "Yesterday the 
Peruvian Congress ratified an FTA with the US during a tense 
session, momentarily suspended when a group of elected legislators 
broke in and attempted to prevent a debate over the agreement. 
 
"Thousands of farmers demonstrated along Lima streets with the motto 
'Down with the US' in rejection of the approval of the FTA." 
 
- "Kirchner and Morales sign a deal" 
 
Jorge Elias, political columnist of daily-of-record "La Nacion," 
writes (06/29) "Today, during a short visit to Argentina, Bolivian 
President Evo Morales will sign a gas deal that will include a rate 
increase, with President Nestor Kirchner... 
 
"...Morales will arrive in Buenos Aires at a good time: President 
Kirchner openly praised Morales and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez 
after a shrouded reference to the US during a recent address to the 
Spanish House of Representatives." 
 
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website 
 
at: 
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
GUTIERREZ