US SUPREME COURT RULING ON GUANTANAMO; US-PERUVIAN FTA;

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001476 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: US SUPREME COURT RULING ON GUANTANAMO; US-PERUVIAN FTA; STATUS OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY WAYNE'S NOMINATION AS AMBASSADOR TO ARGENTINA; 06/30/06; BUENOS AIRES ¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT Local papers lead with the US Supreme Court declaring that military tribunals created after the September 11 attacks violated the Geneva Convention; US Congressional ratification of the Peru FTA; and the US Senate's alleged confirmation of Earl Anthony Wayne as Ambassador to Buenos Aires, Argentina. ¶2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES - "US Supreme Court inflicts harsh blow to Bush due to Guantanamo prisoners" Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin," comments (06/30) "In one of the toughest blows to the USG, the US Supreme Court stated yesterday that the military courts created by US President George W. Bush to judge detainees in Guantanamo are violating domestic legislation and the Geneva Convention... "... During a joint press conference with Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi, (US President) Bush did not let the US Supreme Court's decision intimidate him. He said 'The US people should know that this ruling, as I understand it, does not mean that murderers will be released... I will protect the people and, at the same time, I will abide by the US Supreme Court's decision.'" - "Definitions" Leading "Clarin" reports in a side-box (06/30) "This new US Supreme Court's decision will put a brake on the White House's plan to use military courts to judge some of the detainees in the Guantanamo base. "What judges decided is that Bush has no power to decide in those trials. "The ruling itself would not change, at least in the short run, the USG's power to keep the alleged terrorists in prison. It rather implies a definition about how they should be judged as long as the White House makes progress in this regard. This does not mean either that the Guantanamo base will be immediately closed, although it is clear that both the final use of the prison and the status of prisoners are now under strong international pressure." - "In a tunnel" Marcelo Cantelmi, international editor of leading "Clarin," opines (06/30) "This ruling could lead to profound change in the Bush administration's style, although it will not happen. However, some weak points might be seen in the White House's tendency to disregard legislation, domestic and international rights and public freedoms. "All this is based on the excuse of the war on terrorism, which is being waged in Iraq (where, in fact, there was no terrorism but a dictator and a former ally of Washington). "That weak point is an outgrowth of the public's fatigue with this unjustified campaign, the disaster in the (Persian) Gulf with a hint of defeat, and the mounting suspicion over the USG's espionage plans. This is why, justice, as well as the media, are turning against the USG..." - "The US Supreme Court of Justice inflicts a harsh blow to Bush over Guantanamo" Business-financial "Ambito Financiero" reports (06/30) "Yesterday, the US Supreme Court of Justice inflicted its toughest blow to the Bush administration since the start of the war on terrorism by declaring 'illegal' the special military courts created to judge detainees in the Guantanamo base. "... For 5 votes in favor vis-`-vis one vote against it, the US Supreme Court stated that antiterrorist courts violate the Geneva Convention... although it did not make a decision about the legality of the unlimited imprisonment of Guantanamo detainees." - "In view of a possible judicial decision" Leading "Clarin" carries an opinion piece by Leandro Despouy, Argentine General Auditor and UN Special Rapporteur, who opines (06/30) "... The report entrusted by the UN at the beginning of this year to five experts in human rights was direct. In it, the experts asked the USG to immediately close the base; subject all detainees to an independent and competent court, or release them; refrain from torturing them or inflicting inhuman or degrading treatment; and put an end to abusive interrogation practices. "... This ruling paves the way for a judicial solution to the problem faced by the US, whose Special Committees not only prevented the release of innocent prisoners but prevented the conviction of those who are liable." - "Washington pressures for an FTA with Peru" Daily-of-record "La Nacion" reports (06/30) "The USG urged yesterday the US Congress to approve 'now' an FTA with Peru as a US reward to Peru for defending the free market in recent elections. This happened one day after the Peruvian Congress approved the FTA in Lima. "During a hearing called by the US Senate Finance Committee, the new Assistant USTR for the Americas, Everett Eissenstat, said 'The time to act in support for this deal is now'... 'We could turn our back on Peru by rejecting this deal or we could take the opportunity and contribute to political stability in Peru and the Andean region.'" - "Strong (Peruvian) support for an FTA with the US" Business-financial, center-right "InfoBae" reports (06/30) "According to an opinion survey performed by Universidad Catolica, 66 percent of Lima inhabitants favor an FTA between the US and Peru, one day after the Peruvian Congress' ratification of the deal. "According to the survey, only 20% of Lima's residents reject the deal, which still requires US Congressional approval. "48 percent of the people believe that the trade deal will be good or very good for the development of the Andean country. 29 percent believe the deal will be not so good, and 15 per cent believe it will be bad or very bad." - "The US Senate confirms Wayne" Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin," comments (06/30) "... Yesterday, the US Senate confirmed the nomination of Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne as US Ambassador to Argentina, who will arrive in the country in September... "Until then, Embassy number two Mike Matera will be in his place... "Wayne's agenda will be loaded with economic issues. While Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba will remain important issues in the relationship, Wayne has said that he will prioritize the investment climate, bilateral trade expansion, and FTAA promotion. Then, he pointed out that he will insist that the Kirchner administration 'should honor its commitments' on arbitrations related to the Argentina BIT with the US." To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires GUTIERREZ