VZCZCXYZ0022
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1200/01 1712019
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 202019Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8455
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001200 
 
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; US IMMIGRATION REFORM; US FOREIGN RELATIONS 
COMMITTEE'S DISCUSSION ON US-LATIN AMERICAN TIES; 06/20/07 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT 
 
Key international topics today include the US immigration reform; 
and the US House Foreign Relations Committee discussion about the 
status of the US-South American relationship. 
 
¶2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS 
 
- "Immigration on the arena" 
 
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" (06/20) carries an op-ed piece by 
Alberto Benegas Lynch, Jr., a member of the Advisory Council to the 
London Institute for Economic Affairs, who writes "Nationalistic 
xenophobia is always a serious obstacle to understanding the 
problems affecting people who move to another country. First and 
foremost, they do not seem to be aware of the fact that borders and 
territorial venues are explained by the huge risk posed by the 
concentration of power that one universal government could imply... 
 
"... Now, I am writing a book on the US, basically to demonstrate 
how it has recently gone against the fundamental principles that 
made that nation the most civilized and progressive on earth. One of 
the chapters is related to the war against immigration. The wall 
that was recently built on the US border with Mexico is shameful and 
has nothing to do with safety. The terrorist criminals who launched 
the September 11 attacks entered the US with tourist and student 
visas. 
 
"It has been said that immigrants spark the phenomena of 
over-population. Nevertheless, in 1983, Thomas Sowell demonstrated 
in a book that, by then, the State of Texas could well harbor the 
entire population of the world. The then 4.4 billion inhabitants of 
the world could receive 6,800 square feet of Texan territory per 
each four-member family, which was enough to sustain an average 
family in the US. 
 
"... It is sad to re-read Emma Lazarus' poem ('Give me your tired, 
your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free'), which 
were engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty because, in spite 
of multiple and justified complaints, those domineering in 
Washington, self-considered indispensable and illuminated, have 
reversed those ideas." 
 
- "The loss of US influence in Latin America" 
 
Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin," 
writes (06/20) "The Venezuelan concern in Washington is not new, but 
what captured the attention yesterday was the fact that members of 
the House Foreign Relations Committee (both Republicans and 
Democrats) focused on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's ties to his 
Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the way Iran is 
reportedly using Venezuela as a platform to approach other countries 
of the region. Some spoke about the 'Islamic threat,' others about 
'the Iranian danger,' as though Latin America could be a fertile 
land for the expansion of Islamism and the Middle East theocratic 
regimes. 
 
"During yesterday's hearing on Capitol Hill, which was held to 
analyze the 'US-South American broken relationship,' the way the 
head of that powerful committee, Democratic deputy Tom Lantos 
criticized Argentine President Nestor Kirchner due to 'his close and 
regular contacts' with Chavez was also striking. In Lantos' view, 
there are strongly democratic countries like Brazil and Chile that 
should fill the gap left by the US and 'recover the regional leading 
role' that is now being played by the Venezuelan president. 
 
"Three experts in the Southern Cone were called as witnesses of the 
hearing. Consulted about the Iranian danger, Michael Shifter, VP of 
the Inter-American Dialogue, said that the US had to be very careful 
not to exaggerate its reaction because it could 'turn a prophecy 
into a reality.' In Shifter's view, Latin America is not a fertile 
land for the expansion of Iran. Peter Smith, professor at the 
University of California, agreed with him. 
 
"For his part, Jaime Daremblum, head of the Center for Latin 
American Studies, Hudson Institute, said 'The concern over Iran is 
exaggerated. I do not see it as a problem looming on the horizon.' 
 
"... By the end of the meeting, Shifter and Smith agreed that the 
Venezuelan rearmament particularly poses a threat to its neighbors 
and not to the US." 
 
- "In the US view, the (Argentine) President is still a riddle" 
 
Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for 
daily-of-record "La Nacion," comments (06/20) "Four years after 
having taken office, President Nestor Kirchner is still a riddle for 
 
the US, which does not know where to place him when evaluating the 
governments of the region. As a matter of fact, the US defines him 
as a 'sui generis' leader. 
 
"The 'Kirchner riddle' was tackled yesterday at a House Foreign 
Affairs Committee hearing, which discussed 'South America and the US 
- how to repair a broken relationship.' During the hearing, the 
legislators and academics placed Kirchner far from his most praised 
counterparts from Brazil, Uruguay or Chile, and closer to the most 
criticized ones, like the leaders of Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia or 
Ecuador, although not completely with either. 
 
"Tom Lantos, the head of the Committee, said... 'The Kirchner 
administration has led a significant economic recovery..., but 
Kirchner seems to listen to Chavez's advice with alarming 
regularity.' 
 
"Additionally, he contrasted Kirchner with other governments of the 
region that are 'strongly democratic,' which 'should fill the gap 
and claim the regional leading role played by Chavez.' Lantos 
praised Brazil and Uruguay and underscored that 'Peru and Uruguay 
imply a considerable promise.' 
 
"On the other extreme, Chavez epitomizes a concern that is shared by 
both Republicans and Democrats. 
 
"... However, Michael Shifter, VP, Inter American Dialogue, noted a 
difference. Caracas' allies in Latin America are Fidel Castro, Evo 
Morales, Rafael -Correa and Daniel Ortega. 'Chavez has limited 
followers in countries like Brazil and Argentina. Most of the 
countries are uncomfortable with his confrontational political 
style.'" 
 
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our 
classified website at: 
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
WAYNE