VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0796 1141538
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241538Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7938
INFO RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000796 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM KWMN SMIG PREF ELAB AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH US-ARGENTINE 
CONGRESSIONAL FRIENDSHIP COMMITTEE 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY.  On April 17, Ambassador Wayne met with 
ten members of the US-Argentine Congressional Friendship 
Committee from the Legislature's lower house to discuss 
bilateral relations.  Ambassador noted the positive 
cooperation in traditional areas, e.g. counterterrorism and 
counternarcotics, strong commercial ties, and his belief that 
there is much room for growth in such areas as scientific and 
technological cooperation and people-to-people outreach.  He 
noted pending trafficking in persons legislation before the 
lower house and underscored the importance of its passage for 
the effective fight against TIP in Argentina. The legislators 
echoed the Ambassador's positive assessments and, in 
reference to a question about the high level of 
anti-Americanism in Argentina, explained their belief that it 
was at least partly due to the perception that the USG's 
priorities were focused elsewhere.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On April 17, Ambassador Wayne met with ten members 
of the US-Argentine Congressional Friendship Committee, a 
group of legislators (deputies) from the lower house who seek 
to promote mutual cooperation and facilitate bilateral 
relations.  The Ambassador highlighted his efforts to 
identify areas for collaboration and mutual benefit and said 
he has found many opportunities and much willingness for the 
USG and GoA to work together.  He noted specifically 
commonalties in counternarcotics, counterterrorism and 
democracy promotion.  The Ambassador encouraged members of 
the Friendship Committee to establish relationships with 
their counterparts in the US Congress.  All agreed that 
people-to-people ties are fundamental to creating a stronger 
and broader foundation for the bilateral relationship over 
the long term. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Asked how he saw the bilateral relationship now, 
the Ambassador highlighted strong commercial ties, a mutual 
interest in combating international crime, peacekeeping 
efforts, and scientific and technical cooperation.  He 
described the GoA's decision to allow the Chavez-led 
anti-American demonstration in Argentina while President Bush 
was visiting neighboring Uruguay as a negative signal, 
unfortunate and badly timed, but he also emphasized that the 
Embassy is moving forward with a positive bilateral agenda 
where cooperation is in our mutual interest.  The Ambassador 
also applauded robust and growing relations at the 
ministerial level.  In response to the Ambassador's comments 
that he was anxious to try and address the high level of 
anti-Americanism in Argentina, the legislators expressed 
their belief that the spread of anti-Americanism in South 
America could be largely blamed on the perception that the 
USG shifted its focus away from the region following 
September 11. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The Ambassador also highlighted that the fight 
against Trafficking in Persons is a very important issue and 
should be part of the US-Argentine bilateral relationship. 
He said the passage of new TIP legislation is an important 
step in the coordinated fight against human trafficking, and 
anything the GoA legislators can do to facilitate passage of 
the bill currently pending in the lower house and 
implementation of the new law would be a positive 
development.  Several members said they agreed and were 
working for rapid passage of the legislation. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) The legislators also agreed with the Ambassador 
about the need for greater scientific and technological ties 
and proposed specific areas of cooperation with the USG, 
including nanotechnology, climate change, waste disposal 
technologies, and US beef imports from Argentina.  One deputy 
asked for the US to support Argentina's request for 
negotiations over the Malvinas (and subsequently it appeared 
in the press).  Another deputy complained that he thought the 
slow US clearance of Argentine beef for entry into the US 
(because of hoof and mouth concerns) was politically 
motivated. 
WAYNE