VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0068/01 0162040
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 162040Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6977
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000068 
 
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: IRAQ; US PENTAGON AND LATIN AMERICA; THE US FOREIGN POLICY; 
CHAVEZ; BOLIVIA; 01/16/07 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT 
 
Weekend papers carry opinion pieces on USG policy on Iraq; the 
relationship between the Pentagon and Latin America; current US 
foreign policy; Venezuelan President Chavez's announced 
transformation of his country; and problems in Bolivia. 
 
¶2. OPINION PIECES 
 
- "Bush said he will send more troops to Iraq even when Capitol Hill 
is against it" 
 
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin," 
writes (01/14) "While the US Congress has clearly stated that it is 
against sending more troops to Iraq, President Bush is determined to 
send 21,000 additional US troops to Iraq anyway. In an interview 
that will be aired today on CBS '60 minutes' program, Bush will say 
he is aware that both Democratic and some Republican legislators 
will attempt to obstruct his plan, but that he has 'the authority' 
and that 'the decision has already been made.' 
 
"... A defiant Bush said yesterday that those opposing his plan 
should submit an alternative plan 'with greater possibilities of 
success.' According to Bush, 'opposing everything without proposing 
anything is irresponsible.' 
 
"As a matter of fact, it is true that Democrats have no alternative 
plan with consensus. They have not even managed to come to terms on 
what to do with Bush's proposal." 
 
- "You have it right" 
 
Santiago O'Donnell, international columnist of left-of-center 
"Pagina 12" writes (01/14) "... The plan is so good, but let's be 
honest - it does not guarantee success, although Bush may say the 
opposite. What it does guarantee is that his successor, surely a 
leftist, will inherit the problem. And that is 'good.' 
 
"Also, the plan comes with a bonus... While everyone is discussing 
whether Bush was right or not in having invaded Iraq, no one will 
question the other 'achievements' of his administration - his 
handling of hurricane Katrina, legislation in favor of lobbies and 
the wealthy, the fiscal deficit, the boycott of the Kyoto protocol, 
religious fanaticism, the teaching in schools of 'intelligent 
design' (which questions the theory of evolution), the opposition to 
stem-cell research, lies about Saddam's alleged chemical arsenal, 
the wall on the US-Mexican border, secret prisons, the legalization 
of torture." 
 
- "The US Pentagon is redesigning its maps of the hemisphere" 
 
Leading "Clarin" (01/15) carries an op-ed story by Fabian Calle, 
professor of International Relations at Di Tella University and 
Catholic University, who writes "... Something is changing in the 
area of US defense in spite of the fact that Washington's eyes are 
focused on the Iraqi 'swamp,' Iran, China's rise and the challenges 
posed by North Korea. 
 
"... (The US Pentagon) has decided to consider the region including 
Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela part 
of the same strategic area... 
 
"... This could facilitate the eventual interest of Argentina, 
Brazil and Chile in establishing a common regional security and 
defense area that will also promote peace and stability." 
 
- "Eclipses of Humanity" 
 
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" carries an opinion piece by Carlos 
Floria, professor of Political Sciences at Universidad San Andres 
and School of Law, National University of Buenos Aires, who writes 
(01/14) "... Criticism of Republican foreign policy is solid and 
rooted in neo-conservative arrogance. 
 
"The US needs to return to the Rule of Law and the adherence to 
international treaties like the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. A 
review of past foreign policies (of the two political parties) is 
crucial. 
 
"... They need a long-term policy of demilitarization and support 
for the UN in order to carry out collective interventions justified 
by human rights violations, as is the case today in Darfur, and by 
the principle of defense against an attack. 
 
"The 'change of regime,' a failed argument in the case of Iraq, 
makes us recall Augusto Comte's precept 'We can only destroy that 
which we can replace' - a brief and important lesson." 
 
 
- "Venezuela - the riddles of the 'Chavist revolution'" 
 
Leading "Clarin" carries an op-ed story by its international editor 
Marcelo Cantelmi, who writes (01/13) "... With bombastic rhetoric 
and foundational acts, Chavez continues taking advantage of the 
political and economic crisis from which his leadership emerged. 
 
"... So far and in spite of his noisy speeches, Chavez has always 
been less than what he says he is... He has maintained a virtual 
free trade deal with the US that does not provide him with food but 
fuels his amazing oil profits as the largest oil exporter to the US 
market. 
 
"He even made some adjustments in his country's economy that were 
praised by the IMF and paved the way for spectacular revenues for 
foreign banks, including US banks. 
 
"... Far from his rhetoric, 40 percent of Venezuelans are still in 
poverty... It is neither casual nor positive that the only moderate 
voice in his government, VP Jose Vicente Rangel, has left the 
Venezuelan government... 
 
"This ideological mess not only demonstrates Chavez's own limits but 
also explains the relationship he established with some figures that 
are the very antithesis of his ideology, like the Iranian theocracy, 
in which socialism and relativism would be sufficient grounds to be 
hanged." 
 
- "Chavez and our energy sovereignty" 
 
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" (01/15) carries an op-ed story by 
Neuquen Governor Jorge Sobisch, who writes "Our country has reasons 
for concern given the new political and economic panorama in 
Mercosur following the reforms announced by Venezuelan President 
Hugo Chavez, who is infused with a new and messianic spirit. 
 
"... Argentina is undergoing a serious energy crisis, which the 
Government still has to acknowledge. Chavez is the main financier of 
the Kirchner administration. He has already purchased Argentine debt 
bonds for some 3.4 billion dollars... Argentina will surely increase 
its dependence on this new (Latin) American dictator." 
 
- "What kind of Socialism does Chavez have in store for Venezuela" 
 
Telma Luzzani, international columnist of leading "Clarin," writes 
"Hugo Chavez's announced nationalization of oil, telecommunications 
and utility corporations has shocked the hemisphere. However, these 
changes are just minimal vis-`-vis the total outline of 
transformations that Chavez has in store for the future of 
Venezuela. 
 
"Ranging from constitutional reform that includes gas 
nationalization and unlimited reelection to un usual experiences 
like the creation of self-ruled 'community cities', many are the 
transformations proposed and little is known about them." 
 
- "Alarm over the risk of a 'lebanization'" 
 
Fernando Halperin, columnist of daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes 
(01/13) "What makes the latest violent outburst different from 
others in rocked Bolivia? 
 
"... Analysts agree that this time the meaning and consequences of 
what happens in Cochabamba... could have dramatic implications. 
 
"Some predict a possible 'lebanization' - i.e., the dismemberment of 
the State. 
 
"During recent years, Bolivia has become at least two countries. 
One, the traditional one, impoverished, with an indigenous majority, 
has headed towards a so-called vindication for native and 
traditionally disregarded inhabitants taken by the hand of a native 
president... 
 
"However, this model clashes - with increasing violence - with the 
model put forward by the other country, which is located in the 
prosperous Eastern region and is in the hands of immigrants' 
descendants. Their leaders have traditionally occupied governmental 
positions and today, after consecutive crises, they are attempting 
to make up the opposition of the native president." 
 
¶3. EDITORIALS 
 
- "Changes in US policy" 
 
Leading "Clarin" (01/13) "The Bush administration is implementing 
 
some foreign policy changes based on the new power scheme on Capitol 
Hill, in which the Democratic Party prevails. The attention will 
obviously be focused on the war in Iraq and the claim for an exit 
strategy for a conflict that is showing the failure of presidential 
staff's original estimates. 
 
"...The truth is that the US foreign policy should now be more 
bipartisan and moderate after five years of neo-conservative and 
unilateral positions. It should also reinforce multilateral 
diplomacy after several years of interventionist geopolitics. 
 
"On the domestic front, changes should include a brake on the most 
conservative initiatives related to immigration, social security and 
rights of minorities. The new Democratic representatives have also 
warned on the Republican administration's overlook of Latin 
America. 
 
"This could mean, and it will be good if it happens, a gradual 
change of view on the situation in the rest of the hemisphere, and 
on roads to promote social and economic development as well as 
democratic institutions." 
 
- "Violence and chaos in Cochabamba" 
 
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" editorializes (01/13) "the city of 
Cochabamba, in Bolivia, has suffered a double siege by so-called 
coca leaders, who respond to President Evo Morales 'Movimiento al 
Socialismo.' The siege is double - on the one hand, city entrances 
are cut... On the other hand, the city itself has been divided with 
barricades placed by the coca-leaders. 
 
"... Order should be preserved, immediately followed by constructive 
dialogue as the only way to prevent the wave of violence from 
spreading. However, dialogue calls for mutual respect, tolerance and 
some flexibility - elements that seem to be absent in a profound 
crisis that unfortunately threatens to spread itself." 
 
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our 
classified website at: 
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
WAYNE