VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #2060/01 2541015
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 111015Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5856
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002060 
 
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: FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11; ARGENTINE PUBLIC SERVICE RATES; 
US-ARGENTINA; GSP REVIEW; US-URUGUAYAN FTA; VENEZUELA'S UNSC 
CANDIDACY; BOLIVIA; 09/08/06; BUENOS AIRES 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT 
 
Today's leading international stories include the fifth anniversary 
of the September 11 attacks and their connection to the invasion of 
Iraq and the current situation in Iran; the disapproval of European 
leaders vis-`-vis US President Bush's acknowledgement of CIA secret 
prisons; the US objecting to loans requested by the Argentine 
Government; Argentina and Brazil plans to submit a joint document to 
address possible removal from the GSP; Mercosur's vote in favor of 
Venezuela's UNSC candidacy; and the Bolivian administration's 
authoritative style. 
 
¶2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES 
 
- "We and the September 11 attacks" 
 
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" carries an op-ed piece by Javier Marias, 
Spanish writer, who opines (09/08) "... No one is safe from the 
criminal attacks just like those in Bali, Beirut, Madrid, London, 
Bombay or some other innumerable places. 
 
"Fanatic Muslims kill themselves with the purpose of killing you and 
thousands more like you, who have done nothing to them or even known 
about their lives... For them, there is no individual life... 
 
"Here, in Madrid, more than two years after the train attacks, we do 
not feel as though we were at war because terrorism is intermittent 
and war has never been so and it has no breaks." 
 
- "Europe is disgusted with CIA secret prisons" 
 
Leading "Clarin" reports (09/08) "European criticism poured over the 
US after US President George W. Bush acknowledged that the CIA kept 
prisoners in secret prisons abroad after the September 11 attacks. 
 
"Disgusted European leaders and legislators condemned the 'dirty war 
on terrorism' and asked for more information from Washington." 
 
- "A happy world" 
 
Marcelo Cantelmi, international editor of leading "Clarin," writes 
(09/08) "Believe it or not, five years after the September 11 
attacks, 85% of Americans swear that Bush invaded Iraq in 
retaliation for those attacks. 77% do not doubt that the US 
overthrew Saddam Hussein to prevent him from harboring Bin Laden... 
 
"Iraq has never had ties with the September 11 attacks, and Osama's 
only interest in Saddam may have been the intention of killing him. 
 
"Bush's current rage with Iran is also being twisted so that Tehran 
appears involved in the September 11 attacks, regardless of the fact 
that Iranian Shiites consider Osama and his followers satanic and an 
insult to the Islam." 
 
- "New US pressure over Argentine public service rates" 
 
Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for 
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (09/08) "The US Department of 
Treasury has pleaded for an adjustment in public service rates. For 
the first time, it has put in writing an objection to a loan that 
had been requested by the Argentine Government to improve energy 
efficiency... 
 
"During recent weeks, the US Treasury Department has become the 
Argentine Government's main hurdle in obtaining funds from 
multilateral lending agencies, including the IDB and the World 
Bank... 
 
"... The US Treasury Department's objection is another sign of the 
prevailing mood at the US Treasury Department about the Argentine 
Government. The US Treasury Department abstained from voting or 
voted against granting the last IDB loans and is hindering, along 
with other G7 members, the World Bank loans." 
 
- "A decision that reveals US disapproval" 
 
Leading "Clarin" carries an op-ed piece by Marcelo Bonelli, economic 
columnist, who writes (09/08) "The decision was a political sign 
from Washington - the US voted against Argentina at the IDB in order 
to underscore the Bush administration's prevailing irritation over 
its disagreement with Buenos Aires. 
 
"Therefore, the decision has crucial political importance. 'Clarin' 
has confirmed that the unusual position engaged top-ranking members 
of the White House staff. First it had the blessing of Tim Adams, 
the US Treasury Assistant Secretary, and also the approval of US 
 
 
Assistant Secretary for Hemispheric Issues Tom Shannon. 
 
"... According to bankers, it is an action that reflects that the US 
and the other G7 countries have abandoned the 'aloofness' of the 
last two years towards Argentina. They did not agree with the 
economic line, but they let leaders do what they wanted simply 
because they were not compelled to contribute fresh funds.  Three 
months ago, they expressed their disapproval of what they consider 
an incorrect economic policy and a negative business climate." 
 
- "The (GSP review and) removal of preferential rates could have a 
low impact on Argentina" 
 
Alejandro Vicchi, contributor to business-financial, center-right 
"InfoBae," writes (09/08) "During recent days, USTR has said that 
the USG could possibly limit the benefits for Argentine products 
that are included in the GSP. 
 
"... Argentina has had a constant trade surplus with the US since 
the devaluation of its currency mainly because (current) US imports 
fell to less than half of the level of 2002 US imports. 
 
"Argentine exports to the US also increased. In conclusion, the gap 
has been bridged as the recovery of the Argentine economy increased 
its purchasing power and local farmers started to capitalize on the 
advantage of the current exchange rate and increased their 
intervention in foreign markets. 
 
"The main point from the businessman's point of view is that the US 
is the largest economy in the world, and that the purchasing power 
of its inhabitants presents several still unexplored opportunities 
for Argentine exporters." 
 
- "Argentina-Brazil vs. the US" 
 
Business-financial "Ambito Financiero" reports (09/08) "Argentina 
and Brazil will submit a common position vis-`-vis the US regarding 
the Bush administration's decision to include them in the list of 
countries that will be removed from the GSP. 
 
"The Argentine-Brazilian submission will be made tomorrow when G20 
FM ministers meet tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro... 
 
"Beyond Argentina's joint protest with Brazil, the strategy to be 
implemented by the Argentine Foreign Ministry will be to attempt to 
open other alternative markets for these products, such as Europe, 
India, Latin America and North Africa, and to continue condemning 
farm subsidies granted by developed countries, particularly by the 
US." 
 
- "Vazquez arrives in Brazil with his eyes placed on the US and 
China" 
 
Business-financial, center-right "InfoBae" reports (09/08) "Tabare 
Vazquez will meet with Lula, Mercosur pro-tempore president, to 
discuss the possibility of reaching FTAs outside of Mercosur. 
 
"According to Uruguayan governmental sources, Vazquez will tell Lula 
about the inconsistency of 'being flexible with everything but being 
orthodox in the foreign relationships of minor partners, which have 
been the most affected in Mercosur's consolidation process.' 
 
"Vazquez will use the encounter to explain to Lula why he considers 
it essential for Uruguay to be able to negotiate individual FTAs 
with third countries like the US, India or China while within 
Mercosur." 
 
- "(Mercosur's) Pro-Chavez vote at the UN confirmed" 
 
Carlos Burgueo, columnist of business-financial "Ambito 
Financiero," writes (09/08) "Delegates from Mercosur countries 
confirmed yesterday that the bloc will vote in favor of Venezuela's 
aspirations to become a member of the UN Security Council, in spite 
of the opposition of the US, which promotes Guatemala's candidacy... 
This will be one of the issues on which Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, 
Paraguay and Venezuela will work jointly at multilateral 
institutions such as the WTO, the IMF, the World Bank, and the UN 
General Assembly. 
 
"... According to Argentine FM sources, Argentina has never doubted 
that it would vote in favor of Venezuela. The alliance between the 
two countries goes beyond the good relationship between Chavez and 
Nestor Kirchner - reportedly Venezuela is, along with Peru, one of 
the two countries that have always voted in favor of Argentina at 
international institutions, including the war in Malvinas. 
 
 
"Chavez is also the main international investor with respect to the 
purchase of local bonds, and he has become a full Mercosur member. 
On the other hand, FM sources believe Guatemala cannot be considered 
eligible in place of any South American country applying for the 
seat." 
 
¶3. EDITORIALS 
 
- "Bolivia's authoritative government" 
 
An editorial in daily-of-record "La Nacion" reads (09/08) "... The 
Bolivian Constituent Assembly is divided and confronted... 
 
"Authoritarianism and violence have replaced dialogue and debate... 
In this framework, charges of corruption pour on Morales' 
entourage... 
 
"Meanwhile, the nationalization of hydrocarbons is also merged in 
chaos and is stagnated due to the lack of funds for implementation 
and has been questioned by recent judicial rulings... 
 
"There is speculation about a 'self-coup' of Evo Morales. For the 
time being, there is a dangerous totalitarian trend and an 
increasing authoritarianism, along with certain despise for law, a 
climate of insecurity and revenge, and lack of respect not only for 
minorities but for everyone who disagrees with the MAS or the 
president. 
 
"Bolivia is again on the edge of the abyss. However, Evo Morales 
rejected the mediation of the defender of the People, the Catholic 
Church or the OAS. Seemingly, he believes the best way to walk along 
the road ahead will be through threats or the use of force, which 
implies his despise for democratic dialogue and consensus." 
 
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our 
classified website at: 
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
MATERA