VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0979/01 1380952
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 180952Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8184
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000979 
 
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: MEDIA REACTION; NUCLEAR NON PROLIFERATION; AMERICAS 
COMPETITIVENESS FORUM; CHAVEZ-TECHINT; 05/17/07 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT 
 
Today's major international opinion pieces are related to 
Argentina's nuclear development and its commitments to the Nuclear 
Non Proliferation regime; Argentine government officials attending 
the Americas Competitiveness Forum to be held in Atlanta; and 
negotiations between the Venezuelan Government and Argentine company 
Techint. 
 
¶2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS 
 
- "Argentina vis-`-vis the nuclear issue" 
 
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" carries an op-ed piece by Carlos Escud, 
head of the Center for International Research, CEMA University, 
opines (05/17) "In the '90s Argentina adopted a foreign policy of 
cooperation with the West, which I called 'peripheral realism' while 
most of the local media termed it 'carnal relations.' 
 
"This policy, which has never been popular, aligned the country with 
all the ongoing deals against WMD. Argentina endorsed and ratified 
the global Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and the regional Treaty 
of Tlatelolco... 
 
"By doing so, the country stepped away from an abundant history of 
confrontation with Western powers and some neighboring countries. 
 
"... Nevertheless, many things have changed ever since... On the 
other hand, the world has also changed. The US ability to impose 
sanctions has diminished because it is currently too committed to 
its wars and it cannot afford to make more enemies. Additionally, 
the US has demonstrated it is not up to playing the role of policing 
the world it wanted. 
 
"Certainly, both Argentina and Brazil received arguments about the 
adverse consequences of sustaining nuclear and missile plans... 
 
"Nevertheless, when India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons 
thereby not abiding by treaties, nothing happened! After that, came 
the North Korean bomb. And now, with the Iranian threat, we are on 
the verge of a wave of nuclear programs ... 
 
"Meanwhile, in spite of the constraints imposed by ongoing treaties, 
Argentine nuclear industry continues bearing fruit. The Argentine 
reactor recently inaugurated in Australia is the best evidence that 
not everything has collapsed here in this regard... This activity 
should be fostered and praised. 
 
"The conclusion we should draw today is that Argentina should not 
dishonor its commitments (including those emerging from the Nuclear 
Non Proliferation Treaty). It should remain an ally of the West in 
the fight against Islamic terrorism, narco-trafficking and money 
laundering. It should again fully cooperate with neighboring 
countries and avoid victimizing Uruguay. 
 
"However, it should never accept the imposition of agreements that 
set constraints on its development of vanguard technologies. 
 
"It no longer makes sense. The conditions imposed by peripheral 
realism have changed." 
 
- "Miceli will attend a 'Competitiveness Forum' in the US" 
 
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin," 
penned (05/17) "Economy Minister Felisa Miceli and Planning Minister 
Julio De Vido were invited to attend the Americas Competitiveness 
Forum (ACF), which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, June 11-12... 
 
"Hosted by US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, this forum is 
part of the so-called 'Positive Agenda' of the Bush administration 
for Latin America. The purpose is gathering economy ministers, 
leaders from the private sector, academics and NGOs to 'explore 
cutting edge ideas and best practices in several key areas of 
competitiveness.' 
 
"The US grants major importance to this Forum, which will not only 
be attended by Secretary Gutierrez but also by Treasury Secretary 
Henry Paulson. 
 
"In order to track the origin of this forum, one should go back to 
the 2005 Mar del Plata Summit of the Americas. By then, US President 
Bush suggested to hold a hemispheric meeting focused on the problem 
posed by competitiveness. Amid the tension unleashed by Chavez-led 
anti-Summit and FTAA discussions, the idea went unnoticed. However, 
now the US Department of State has strongly re-launched the idea. 
 
"... The ACF's main tracks are: sparking and sustaining innovation; 
 
 
creating solutions in education and workforce development; designing 
successful global supply chain strategies; and fostering small 
business development and growth." 
 
- "Arm wrestling between Chavez and Techint continues" 
 
Gustavo Bazzan, columnist of leading "Clarin," writes (05/17) "Paolo 
Rocca's stay in Caracas is longer than he had imagined... He was 
willing to reach a deal with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez over 
the future of the Sidor steel company to immediately go back to his 
routine. 
 
"However, when he arrived in Caracas he found a different panorama - 
he was not received by Chavez and only yesterday was he able to meet 
face to face with Venezuelan VP Jorge Rodriguez and other Venezuelan 
government officials. 
 
"... The main topics subject to negotiation were the amount sold and 
price fixed by Sidor for its flat steel, which is sold to the 
domestic market, as well as the prices paid by state company 
Ferrominera for iron mineral, Sidor's basic input. 
 
"Techint sources had said just a few days ago that the group agreed 
to lower the price of its products and pay higher prices for the 
inputs it buys. Nonetheless, the Venezuelan government officials 
seemed not to be satisfied. This is why Chavez has not shown up yet 
in meetings but instead sent members of his staff for more demands. 
 
"As a matter of fact, it has become known that, in addition to 
insisting on the nationalization of Sidor, the steel trade union 
asked the corporation to supply steel for the Venezuelan naval 
industry and its new railways. 
 
"...President Kirchner admitted he meddled between Chavez and 
Techint. Perhaps Chavez will not nationalize Sidor, but it is clear 
that he will continue pressuring for better conditions before the 
photo-op with Rocca occurs." 
 
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our 
classified website at: 
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
WAYNE