NEW SECURITY MINISTER STAYS THE COURSE, MOSTLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 002320

SIPDIS

FOR STATE WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC
PASS NSC FOR TOM SHANNON, MIKE DEMPSEY
PASS USTR FOR SUE CRONIN
USCINCSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL AR
SUBJECT: NEW SECURITY MINISTER STAYS THE COURSE, MOSTLY

REF: BUENOS AIRES 02152

Classified By: Ambassador Lino Gutierrez for reason 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Less than two weeks after assuming office,
Justice Minister Horacio Daniel Rosatti presented four
domestic security initiatives to the Senate initially
proposed by his predecessor Gustavo Beliz, indicating that
the recent change in leadership at the Ministry will not
affect the GOA's general security strategy. Rosatti chose to
put forward four of the less controversial elements of his
predecessor's more sweeping security package, avoiding for
the moment more problematic issues, such as lowering the
minimum age for prosecution and judicial reforms opposed by
members of the Federal Judiciary. END SUMMARY.



2. (C) On August 4, the new Justice and Security Minister,
Horacio Daniel Rosatti, pushed forward in the Senate elements
of the former Justice Minister Beliz's high profile security
plan. Security remains a hot button issue with voters, and
President Kirchner and his new justice team will continue to
push the agenda forward, however, in a more cautious manner
than Rosatti's predecessor. With the dismissal of Beliz,
there was a great deal of speculation that the GOA would
scrap all or a majority of the sweeping security reform
program. Beliz had presented the bill to Congress under
pressure from anti-crime activists and mass protests led by
Juan Carlos Blumberg, the father of a victim in a high
profile kidnap/murder case that has galvanized the Argentine
society on the issue of security.


3. (C) Soon after taking office Rosatti intimated in the
media that he would examine each part of the proposed
legislation, causing a great deal of rumor regarding the
possibility of a major shift in the GOA's security strategy.
The following day the GOA held a press conference emphasizing
that President Kirchner had changed Justice Ministers, but
not his commitment or focus on the proposed security reforms.
The passing of four parts of the old security plan by the
Senate sends a clear message that the GOA has not drastically
changed its policy.


4. (C) The security initiatives passed by the Senate allow
changes in the legal code to: authorize authorities to
reduce sentences for all types of crimes for individuals who
assist in investigations; increase the maximum sentence for
embezzlement convictions from two to six years; provide
prosecutors with increased flexibility to void minor or petty
criminal cases without prosecution; and, to restrict parole
for convicts where there is a fear the person may become a
repeat offender. As with other recent legislative
initiatives, the Kirchner Administration brought the
initiatives up for a vote in the Senate before presenting
them in the more contentious Lower House. The initiatives
were among the more non-controversial items included in the
old security package, and received wide support among both
Peronist and Radical Senators. Many other more contentious
issues dealing with a wide range of issues including the
lowering of the age for prosecution and limiting the power of
federal judges remain on hold. There is, as yet, no
indication when the Administration plans to move these
initiatives forward in the Lower House.


3. (C) COMMENT: Per reftel, Post views Kirchner's decision
to replace Beliz as not related to the former Minister's
vision or work in the area of security reform, but as a
result of a growing personality conflict between the two
individuals. In choosing to pursue the initiatives
individually, as opposed to as a part of a giant security
reform package, Rosatti has changed the tactics but not the
direction of the Ministry. It is unclear when or if Rossatti
will pursue the more contentious provisions of the Beliz plan
such as those dealing with limiting the authority of Federal
Prosecutors and Judges. Post does not believe the change in
personnel will greatly alter the GOA's domestic security
objectives, or post's ability to work effectively with the
Justice Ministry. END COMMENT.
GUTIERREZ