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Viewing cable 06BUENOSAIRES2329, NORTH KOREA; VENEZUELA'S CANDIDACY TO THE UN SECURITY
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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
06BUENOSAIRES2329 | 2006-10-17 20:24 | 2011-08-26 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Buenos Aires |
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #2329/01 2902024
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 172024Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6208
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002329
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: NORTH KOREA; VENEZUELA'S CANDIDACY TO THE UN SECURITY
COUNCIL; EVO MORALES; IRA AND ETA; 10/17/06; BUENOS AIRES
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT
Weekend papers cover China's sanctions on Pyongyang; Venezuela's
efforts to win a seat at the UN Security Council; and alleged racism
of Bolivian President Morales' opponents; and the UK and Spain's
success in solving a long history of diplomatic differences through
dialogue.
Leading "Clarin" carries an op-ed piece by former US President and
2002 Nobel Peace Laureate James Carter, who underscored that "the
military option in North Korea could lead to the death of one
million people among South Koreans and Americans." Carter argues
that "instead of tougher threats and sanctions, the prevailing non
proliferation treaty should be implemented."
¶2. OPINION PIECES
- "Pressured by the US, China imposes sanctions on Pyongyang"
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" (10/17) "Amid strong US pressure, the
Chinese government, North Korea's main ally, started yesterday to
enforce the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by the UN Security
Council to punish the Communist regime's nuclear test...
"While China still has some reservations about sanctions against
North Korea, it started to raise a fence on its border with North
Korea and check the loading of trucks heading for that country. The
Chinese government's first steps are considered vital for the
success of sanctions against Pyongyang."
- "Tough sanctions against North Korea"
Alberto Armendariz, New York-based correspondent for daily-of-record
"La Nacion," writes (10/15) "In response to the controversial
nuclear test performed by North Korea last Monday, the UN Security
Council unanimously approved tough diplomatic and economic sanctions
against Kim Jong-Il's Communist regime, although it refrained from
threatening to launch a military action.
"Resolution 1718 was 'totally' rejected by North Korea, whose
representatives warned that it will consider every major pressure
from Washington 'a declaration of war.'"
- "Setback for Chavez' fight for a seat at the UN Security Council"
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin" on
special assignment in New York, writes (10/17) "President Hugo
Chavez suffered a setback in his efforts to obtain a seat at the UN
Security Council. Even though all previous signs indicated that
Venezuela could at least obtain most of the votes, the Venezuelan
government lost to its rival Guatemala in nine of ten voting rounds
and tied in the remaining one.
"Guatemala did not manage to obtain the two-thirds of the votes of
the 192 UN members that are required to obtain a seat, although its
performance was much better than expected...
"Last night, the happiest delegation was that of US, which spent
last month lobbying in favor of Guatemala. The White House is
attempting to prevent Caracas from obtaining a seat at the UN
Security Council on fears that the Venezuelan leader will hinder
every US initiative at the UN Security Council.
"US Assistant Secretary for Western Hemispheric Affairs at the US
Department of State, Tom Shannon, said 'I am not surprised that
Guatemala is winning. I do not see any need to start considering
other options...'"
- "UN Security Council - a tense voting is expected"
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin,"
writes (10/15) "October 16 voting to chose the country that will
replace Argentina at the UN Security Council has become a real
arm-wrestling match between the US and Venezuela. Caracas' official
competitor is Guatemala and Washington has made public Guatemala's
triumph.
"US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently told 'The Wall
Street Journal' that - 'this is a serious affair, one which could be
the end of consensus within the UN Security Council.'
"What really worries the US is that when Venezuelan leader Hugo
Chavez speaks, many agree with what he says. While some condemned
Chavez's rhetoric after he spoke at the UN General Assembly, when he
compared President Bush with the Devil, many more applauded him,
particularly the representatives of Middle East and African
countries.
"... Russia and China will vote for Venezuela - both have close
trade ties with Caracas. Africa and Asia are more inclined toward
Venezuela, just like the Arab countries.
"Latin America is divided - most Central American countries will
vote for Guatemala while South American and Caribbean countries
favor Venezuela. There are some exceptions - Colombia, which
receives important US aid, will vote for Guatemala, and Peru will
abstain.
"According to the calculations of Argentine Ambassador to the UN
Cesar Mayoral, Guatemala could obtain 90-100 votes while Venezuela
could get 100-110 votes."
- "A vote that shows the limits of the Venezuelan leader"
Oscar Raul Cardoso, international analyst of leading "Clarin,"
writes (10/17) "... If another candidate obtains consensus, Chavez
will be trapped in his predictions of sure victory and harassed by
the opposition, which accused him of having spent millions of
dollars in a campaign that was in his own interests and not those of
Venezuela.
"... Some analysts speculated that an anti-US bloc could emerge at
the UN. The problem is that Chavez needs Venezuela to win the vote
while for the US it is enough to prevent him from succeeding."
- "A seat at the UN Security Council"
Leading "Clarin" carries an op-ed story by Manuel Antonio Garreton,
sociologist and professor at the University of Chile, who writes
(10/17) "... It is clear that the USG feels the UN, and particularly
the UN Security Council, as an institution of its own and considers
that everything that opposes its will is not viable...
"... As a matter of fact, it is the US policy that makes the UN
Security Council not viable, as happened with the invasion and war
in Iraq... In other words, the interests of peace, development, and
respect for all peoples, and the defense and promotion of human
rights are today opposed to Washington's prevailing interests and
views. And this is why Guatemala's election would be a blow to the
credibility and legitimacy of the UN Security Council.
"The second issue is related to the possibility that an independent
Latin American bloc prevails in the world vis-`-vis the US.
Venezuela's accession to the UN Security Council represents this
possibility, given its clear Latin American and progressive
approach.
"Undoubtedly, Venezuela should be the future non permanent Latin
American member of the UN Security Council."
- "Who goes with Hugo?"
Michael Soltys, executive editor of liberal, English-language
"Buenos Aires Herald," writes (10/17) "... It just has not been his
year - even if Venezuela's maverick President Hugo Chavez remains as
likely as ever to close out 2006 with a resounding re-election
victory.
"Chavez has had little enough joy around the region since the
victory of Bolivia's Evo Morales nearly a year ago, suffering the
defeat of kindred spirits in Peru and Mexico plus unexpectedly
strong center-right performances in Colombia and Brazil.
"... A regional swing to the left and the threat posed by Chavez are
the two most frequent clichs of Latin American analysts but perhaps
both stand in need of a review... It would seem that Latin America
is reconsidering the wisdom of the 'Stop the world, I want to get
off' populism espoused by the likes of Chavez as the subcontinent's
own growth reflects just how extraordinarily well that world is
doing economically.
"As for Chavez, his support for candidates in the region has now
failed so often since the Bolivian elections that it has to be asked
whether his backing might not be counterproductive."
- "The price of a risky plan"
Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (10/17) "An urgent message for
Hugo Chavez - remember which are the basic rules you should follow
when dealing with other leaders. Those are several, but easy to
understand, if one leaves aside ideological biases. It would be
convenient for you to start implementing them, whether you win or
not this election against Guatemala for a seat at the UN Security
Council.
"Rule number one - there are no friends in international relations,
only converging interests...
"Rule number two - money can attract certain government officials
and countries, but to a certain point and certain limits...
"Rule number three - every sign of support is relative, regardless
of how much money or how many hugs are exchanged...
"Lastly but not least, rule number four - in local or international
politics, there are no small competitors!...
"... Final comment for Chavez - it is still uncertain which country
will finally obtain the UN Security Council seat. But whether he
succeeds or not, he should review his diplomatic handbook and check
whether his team is the best for his administration and his
country...
"Post script for Bush - do not fall on the temptation of making the
same mistake Chavez made, which is confusing the votes obtained with
support. Remember rule number one - they only express the
convergence of multiple and diverse national interests."
- "Bush and Chavez vs. limits on power"
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" carries an opinion piece by writer
Alberto Benegas Lynch Jr., who writes (10/17) "It is hard for me to
write these lines. I admire the US tradition. The vision of the
Founding Fathers of this nation is really extraordinary.
"However, I have to denounce again the abominable procedures of the
current administration, which contradict every tradition honoring
individual liberties.
"... It is sad to acknowledge that there is a shivering and
worrisome similarity between Bush and Chavez regarding abuse of
power."
- "Bolivia - antagonisms tinted with ink and rhetoric"
Oscar Raul Cardoso, international analyst of leading "Clarin,"
comments (10/14) "... Reality has become incredibly tough for
Morales. If many have something to win in his plans, there is a
small group that believes it has everything to lose, particularly a
deeply regressive national income distribution. Of course, this fear
is out-of-proportion both in Bolivia and in other parts, but they do
not get it wrong if they believe that they will lose something in a
national reorganization.
"This minority thinks that secession is not a bad idea. Why would
they not think that a coup d'etat is not advisable? The racist
element is also present. Beyond the certainty of their criticism,
those sectors do not digest an indigenous president. Also, the
attacks against Lula or Hugo Chavez hide class components."
¶3. EDITORIALS
- "IRA and ETA, conflicts of other times"
An editorial in leading "Clarin" reads (10/14) "The two oldest armed
conflicts of Western Europe are making progress towards a possible
peaceful evolution although with different degrees of progress and
difficulties.
"... Both the UK and Spain are societies that have managed to solve
their historic problems through dialogue.
"On the other hand, the economic prosperity of Ireland and the
Basque provinces is a strong impetus to overcome old nationalistic
disputes and to channel national claims through democratic
institutions. There are also other reasons for concern, such as
terrorism, which has not emerged from domestic history but from
global conflicts."
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
MATERA