DELIVERY OF ARTICLE 98 DEMARCHE TO ARGENTINA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 003186

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2014
TAGS: KJUS MARR PREL AR KICC ARTICLE DEMARCHE
SUBJECT: DELIVERY OF ARTICLE 98 DEMARCHE TO ARGENTINA

REF: STATE 237228

Classified By: Ambassador Lino Gutierrez for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Ambassador Gutierrez delivered on November 12 the
Article 98 talking points from reftel to the Argentine Under
Secretary for Foreign Policy Roberto Garcia Moritan.

SIPDIS
Ambassador Gutierrez underscored the importance of Article 98
agreements in our bilateral relationships and noted we
currently have 96 such agreements worldwide. He said
obtaining an Article 98 agreement with Argentina remained a
priority for both the Embassy and the Administration and that
this would be a topic of major importance in Garcia Moritan's
visit to Washington next week for the U.S.-Argentina pol-mil
bilats. Regarding potential pressure on Argentina from EU
countries not to enter into an Article 98 agreement, the
Ambassador pointed out that this was a bilateral issue
between our countries designed to protect our mutual
interests.


2. (C) Ambassador Garcia Moritan acknowledged the importance
of reaching an accommodation with us and reiterated
Argentina's desire to continue discussions on a possible
agreement. He opined, however, that the current political
dynamic between President Kirchner and the Argentine congress
(where Kirchner lacks a strong personal support base) made an
Article 98 agreement problematic for the present. Garcia
Moritan felt that when Kirchner solidified his own
constituency in Congress (which he is convinced will occur in
next year's legislative elections),a mutually acceptable
agreement protecting both U.S. and Argentine interests could
be reached.


3. (C) Comment: The good news is that Argentina understands
the importance we attach to reaching an Article 98 agreement
and its importance to expanded military cooperation with us.
Garcia Moritan's commitment to continued discussions on the
issue was welcome even if his placing the blame for lack of
progress on Congress was dubious. Garcia Moritan's visit to
Washington next week will provide an excellent opportunity
for senior leaders to reinforce once again the importance we
attach to a successful conclusion of these discussions. End
Comment
GUTIERREZ