VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1472/01 2121643
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 311643Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8781
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001472 
 
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
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION; ARGENTINE PRESIDENT KIRHCNER TO MEXICO; UK 
PM GORDON BROWN TO THE US; PRESS FREEDOM RESTRICTIONS IN ARGENTINA, 
VENEZUELA, ECUADOR AND BOLIVIA; 07/31/07 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT 
 
Key international stories today include the visit of Argentine 
President Kirchner and First Lady and Senator Cristina Kirchner to 
Mexico and the signature of a strategic deal between Argentina and 
Mexico; UK PM Gordon Brown's trip to the US and his meeting with 
President Bush; and prevailing restrictions on press freedom in 
Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. 
 
¶2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS 
 
- "The Kirchners reach a future deal with Mexico" 
 
Mariana Veron, on special assignment in Mexico, DF, for 
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (07/31) "... Both presidents 
signed a Treaty of Strategic Association, which, due to the 
deadlines established, will only be carried out by the next 
Argentine Government... As a matter of fact, it was Senator Cristina 
Kirchner who advanced the idea of approaching Calderon, which 
clearly showed what her foreign policy would be like if she took 
office - less dependence on Brazil and greater world opening... 
 
"The visit of the presidential couple was a political gesture for 
the region. The (Argentine) Government) wants its alliance with 
Mexico to put a brake on Brazil, on which Argentina's economy 
largely depends. 
 
"Mexico is experiencing something similar in its relationship with 
the US. Hence it is advisable for it to approach Mercosur, although 
it may be only flirting. According to sources from the Mexican 
government, (Felipe) Calderon has sought to approach the Southern 
countries since taking office and he has found a key partner in 
Argentina." 
 
- "A strategic game" 
 
Nilvia Naishtat, political columnist of leading "Clarin," writes 
(07/31) "Kirchner's invitation to Mexico to join Mercosur seems to 
be part of a strategy that consists of diluting Brazil's power in 
the region. Kirchner also invited Venezuela. 
 
"It is true that being a NAFTA member, Mexico finds it difficult (to 
join Mecosur). However, according to expert Diana Tussie, when you 
feel like it, you always come up with beneficial partnerships. 
 
"Mexico is a strong economy, it has reached deals with more than 60 
countries and several companies today promote the bilateral 
relationship (between Mexico and Argentina), ranging from Techint in 
Buenos Aires to Telmex in Mexico, DF." 
 
- "Stigma" 
 
Paula Lugones, international columnist of leading "Clarin," writes 
(07/31) "The purpose of Gordon Brown during his first visit to the 
US was getting rid of the 'lap dog' stigma, or Tony Blair's 
submission to the Bush administration's dictates. 
 
"However, the big challenge was doing it without damaging the 
historic alliance between both countries. He did not kick off the 
board, it is true, but he ranged from nice public gestures to a 
private claim for the UK's withdrawal from Iraq. In this way, Brown 
is already creating his own style, which is closer to the real 
politik rather than the messianic attitude of his transatlantic 
counterpart." 
 
- "Intolerance towards the media" 
 
Daily-of-record "La Nacion" editorializes (07/31) "During Senator 
Cristina Kirchner's recent trip to Spain, she excluded Argentine 
journalists from certain activities and, as has already happened 
during recent trips, she only granted interviews to the foreign 
media. Sometimes, she did not take questions that she seemingly 
considered inopportune. In some other cases, she turned her back on 
questions emerging from responses she had already given... 
 
"... Other countries are also going through a similar situation. In 
line with Kirchner's complaints, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa 
has said that 'the media should change because they have a big dose 
of mediocrity, corruption and created interests.' After having 
cancelled RCTV's license, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has now 
threatened to do the same with RCTV International if it refuses to 
air official TV. Bolivian President Evo Morales does not have a 
better relationship with the media. 
 
"... Information should not be limited to friendly journalists and 
media, except if one wants to alter the basic rules of freedom, 
 
 
democracy and harmony." 
 
To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our 
classified website at: 
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
WAYNE