VZCZCXYZ0005
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #2753/01 3490948
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 150948Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6757
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002753 
 
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: DEATH OF PINOCHET; DIGITAL TV STANDARD COMPETITION IN 
ARGENTINA; US-LATIN AMERICAN TIES; TRI-BORDER AREA; BOLIVIA; 
12/14/06; BUENOS AIRES 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT 
 
Key international stories today include the implications of the 
death of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet; the debate over 
Argentina's upcoming decision on digital TV standard; US Assistant 
Secretary Shannon's statements about  US ties with Latin America; 
 
SIPDIS 
the USG's designation of individuals and entities providing 
financial and logistical support for Hezbollah in the Tri-Border; 
and mounting tension in Bolivia. 
 
¶2. OPINION PIECES 
 
- "A dictator leaves the scene" 
 
James Neilson, contributor to English-language "Buenos Aires 
Herald," writes (12/14) "Augusto Pinochet's demise at the ripe old 
age of 91 is being celebrated with ghoulish glee by many people who 
loathed him not because he was a merciless dictator but because he 
was something that in their view is a great deal worse: a rightwing 
dictator who espoused, after a fashion, free-market economic 
policies. Unlike those who have sound personal reasons to detest him 
and all his works, their feelings are determined entirely by 
ideology... 
 
"By the standards prevailing in Western democracies, Pinochet was a 
nasty piece of work and his regime was brutal. By Second and Third 
World standards, the Chilean dictatorship he headed for 17 years was 
relatively benign... 
 
"... Vile though the abuses perpetrated by his regime undoubtedly 
were, it cannot be denied that the extreme left gave him plenty of 
excuses for acting the way he did." 
 
- "Digital TV -US digital TV standard preferred" 
 
Leading "Clarin" reports (12/14) "The arrival of digital TV in 
Argentina is nearing, after the announcement by TV cable suppliers 
of a 2.5 billion dollars plus investment to digitalize their 
networks and expand the broadband service they already provide. But 
a feud has broken out about the digital TV standard that should be 
chosen. 
 
"And according to the unanimous opinion of manufacturers of 
equipment, experts in sound and some operators, the US digital TV 
standard (ATSC) is the one that provides the best 'technical, 
economic and inclusion' benefits among the technologies 
available..." 
 
- "The US believes that Cuba toughened its regime" 
 
Business-financial, center-right "InfoBae" (12/14) reports "During a 
conference where he made an assessment of the US ties with the 
region, US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere 
Affairs Thomas Shannon asserted that, after Cuban leader Fidel 
Castro became ill and power in Cuba was transferred to his brother 
Raul, the island's regime has toughened, something that prevents 
eventual reformist leaders from emerging. 
 
"The USG (representative) added that he does not believe there could 
be change in Cuba 'until Fidel is gone' and that once that happens, 
the next government will have to set the path and decide between 
'increased repression' and making progress on opening up to the 
international community. 
 
"Shannon pointed out that there are no 'clear signs' the latter 
might happen at the moment. But he added the US follows the 
situation closely. He also said that it is important to create a 
common stance in the hemisphere about the future of the island and 
that Washington is committed to a process of change that will 
facilitate transition to democracy in Cuba. 
 
"Regarding the US ties with the countries of the region, and bearing 
in mind the nations the US has most clashed with, Shannon explained 
that the US wants to improve its ties with the whole of Latin 
America. 'Time has come to commit again with our distant partners in 
the region and focus on the way in which we can have a relevant 
performance.' 
 
"Shannon added that Washington expects to 'normalize its ties' with 
Venezuela, while he acknowledged that 'there was a clear winner in 
the country and that the opposition had admitted its defeat,' which 
he considered good for Venezuela and the entire region." 
 
¶3. EDITORIALS 
 
- "Report on the Tri-Border area" 
 
 
 
An editorial in leading "Clarin" reads (12/14) "For the first time, 
the USG has released concrete information related to terrorist 
suspects that are reportedly providing financial and logistical 
support for Hezbollah from the Tri-Border area... 
 
"The US Treasury Department contributed new information about a 
group of residents in Ciudad del Este, and holds them liable for 
financial activities related to Hezbollah. The Argentine, Brazilian 
and Paraguayan governments reacted with caution to this warning, but 
the truth is that little is known about illegal activities being 
performed on the Tri-Border area. 
 
"... The strong presence of an Arab community in the area and its 
economic ties with the Middle East raises concern. Washington's 
warning is based on these ties and on transactions that have not 
been clarified so far... 
 
"... The differing views of the US, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay 
about terrorism-related activities on the Tri-Border area could be 
solved through a more efficient regional surveillance, control and 
prevention." 
 
- "Mounting tension in Bolivia" 
 
Leading "Clarin" editorializes (12/14), "The official party's 
behavior at the Constituent Assembly, and particularly the 
intransigency attributed to its leader, Silvia Lazarte, seems to 
have brought Bolivia once again to a dangerous crossroads. 
 
"... In an unacceptable interference in Bolivia's domestic affairs, 
Venezuelan Ambassador to La Paz, Julio Montes, said that if the 
Morales administration asked Venezuela for troops to support him, 
Venezuela would consider it. 
 
"The Morales administration should bet on dialogue and keep the 
intemperance of some of MAS militants at bay. 
 
"Lack of respect for the rule of law seems to have brought Bolivia 
back to the verge of dangerous social clashes. There is still some 
more time to seek consensus." 
 
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our 
classified website at: 
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
WAYNE