VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1586/01 1991054
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 181054Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5251
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001586 
 
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: US PRESIDENT BUSH ON ISRAELI OFFENSIVE AGAINST LEBANON; USG 
CHARGES CHAVEZ WITH PROMOTING TERRORISM; STATUS OF NEW US AMBASSADOR 
TO ARGENTINA; 07/14/06;BUENOS AIRES 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT 
 
Local papers lead with US President George W. Bush supporting 
Israeli offensive against Lebanon after the Hezbollah militia 
captured two Israeli soldiers on Wednesday; the USG accusing 
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez of promoting terrorism; and 
Ambassador Wayne's confirmed nomination to be the new US Ambassador 
to Argentina being postponed. Local dailies also report on The Hague 
World Court rejection of Argentina's request that two European firms 
halt construction of two paper mills in Uruguay until environmental 
impact can be fully assessed. 
 
¶2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES 
 
- "Bush justifies military offensive against the Lebanon" 
 
Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for 
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (07/14) "Contradicting other G8 
and EU powers, US President George W. Bush yesterday justified 
Israel's attacks against Lebanon. However, he warned that Israel 
would have to be careful not to weaken the Beirut government because 
'the day after' could jeopardize its interests even further. 
 
"Bush said 'Israel has the right to defend itself.'White House 
support for Israel has widened discord with the rest of the 
so-called international 'quartet' (the EU, the UN and Russia), which 
rejected the Israeli offensive or considered it 'disproportionate.' 
 
"This point of disagreement will also hinder Bush's plans to come to 
a common position vis-`-vis Iran and North Korea's nuclear ambitions 
while he tries to find a way out for the troops in Iraq, which 
should include multilateral support." 
 
- "The US vetoes (UN) resolution against the Jewish State" 
 
Business-financial "El Cronista" reports (07/14) "Yesterday, the US 
vetoed a resolution submitted by Qatar to the UN Security Council, 
which condemned Israel's military incursions into the Gaza Strip. 
 
"The UK, Peru, Denmark and Slovakia abstained from the vote. 
However, the measure did not progress in spite of ten votes in its 
favor. 
 
"It is not the first time the US vetoes a resolution at the UN 
Security Council, which is related to the Palestinian-Israeli 
conflict. The last time it did so was in October 2004." 
 
- "Bush supports Israel: 'Israel has the right to defend itself'" 
 
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin," 
writes (07/14) "US President George W. Bush openly supported the 
Israeli attacks against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip by saying that 
'Israel has the right to defend itself' and that kidnapped soldiers 
should be released. 
 
"While Bush's statements were widely praised by the US Jewish 
community, they unleashed tension in Europe, which will not favor 
the search for a joint solution. As a matter of fact, the EU termed 
the use of Israeli force as 'disproportionate' while Russia urged to 
avoid 'an open confrontation in the region.' US Secretary of State 
Condoleezza Rice, also in Germany, downplayed Bush's statements by 
saying that the USG asked for 'moderation' from Israel. Rice 
dismissed criticism of the military actions launched against 
Lebanon." 
 
- "Bush warns Syria and Iran defends it" 
 
Business-financial "Ambito Financiero" reports (07/14) "In the midst 
of an escalation of war in the Middle East, the US confirmed its 
support for Israel and joined it in suspecting Syria's role in 
fueling the crisis. This sparked Iran's reaction, which warned 
against an attack on the Arab country. 
 
"While in Germany, US President George W. Bush said that 'Israel has 
the right to defend itself'..., but whatever it does 'should not 
weaken' the Lebanese administration. 
 
"... Bush also referred to Syria as suspected, along with Iran, of 
masterminding the kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers." 
 
- "Steps of a dangerous retreat" 
 
Oscar Raul Cardoso, international analyst of leading "Clarin," 
opines (07/14) "... Now, the challenge for Olmert and his government 
to undo history is double. The Israeli military leader who refered 
to an occupation of at least part of Lebanon seems to have forgotten 
 
 
that between 1982 and 2000, Israel occupied and maintained a 
so-called 'security area' in South Lebanon with the same excuse, 
i.e., eliminating hostile forces. Neither the grabbing of the Strip 
since the start of the Six Day War in the 60s nor the partial 
occupation of Lebanon bore the expected fruits, and there is no 
clear reason why this time the result would be different. 
 
"This temptation to retreat is strong... With its disproportionate 
attacks of these days, Israel's legitimate cause seems to be 
fading... 
 
"... The Israeli version of events starts to be questioned by 
friendly countries like the US. 
 
"No one doubts the legitimate right of a country to defend itself, 
but it is clear that the lack of proportion of its means has not 
obtained the same support as at other times." 
 
- "Washington hints that Chavez is another promoter of terrorism" 
 
Conservative "La Prensa" reads (07/14) "The USG warned that 
Venezuela's entry into the UN Security Council could have a 
'negative impact' while an influential legislator hinted that 
Venezuela is on the verge of being considered a 'promoter' of 
terrorism. 
 
"Franc C. Urbancic, number two at the Office of Coordination for 
Counter-terrorism at the US Department of State, pointed out that 
the Chavez regime 'is not in line with the world,' and he added that 
Chavez's 'irresponsible rhetoric' and 'negative impact' could expand 
if Venezuela obtains a seat on the UN Security Council. 
 
"It is the first time the US Department of State expresses its fears 
vis-`-vis Venezuela's possible entry into the UN Security Council in 
replacement of Argentina." 
 
- "The nomination of the US Ambassador to Argentina is blocked 
again" 
 
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin," 
comments (07/14) "The confirmation of new US Ambassador to 
Argentina, Earl Anthony Wayne, has been blocked once again. No one 
in Washington dares predict when he will be confirmed, or even 
whether he will manage to be confirmed. 
 
"... This time, the one who filed an objection to Wayne's nomination 
was Republican Senator from Nevada John Ensign. While Wayne has 
already been confirmed by the (Senate Foreign Relations) Committee, 
Ensign managed to hold his consideration by the full Senate. And the 
reason is exactly the same one that Mel Martinez filed (that Wayne 
refused to increase funds for Radio and TV Marti). 
 
"... In fact, USG and Argentine officials confirmed to 'Clarin' that 
Wayne would be in Argentina no later than September. No one thought 
that another senator could hold up his nomination again. Because the 
US Congress begins its recess the first week of August, they now 
fear the confirmation could be postponed to September. 
 
"A US Senate Foreign Relations Committee told 'Clarin' 'Not all 
Republican senators agree with what is happening.' 'Wayne is not a 
controversial figure. He handles financial issues very well, and 
this is something important in Argentina. This is why what is 
happening does not reflect everyone's thinking. On the contrary, 
some senators believe that not having a representative in Argentina 
is a disadvantage.' 
 
"... While the confirmation could be postponed indefinitely, it is 
also possible that it will happen before the recess." 
 
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website 
at: 
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
GUTIERREZ