Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUENOSAIRES155
2006-01-20 16:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION BRASILIA SUMMIT STRATEGIC

Tags:  KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL MEDIA REACTION 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0013
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0155/01 0201638
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201638Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3172
INFO RHMFIUU/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000155 

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 BRASILIA SUMMIT STRATEGIC
ENERGY AND DEFENSE ALLIANCE BETWEEN PRESIDENTS
KIRCHNER LULA AND CHAVEZ ALLEGED MEETING BETWEEN A/S
SHANNON AND PRESIDENT KIRCHNER 01/20/06


UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000155

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 BRASILIA SUMMIT STRATEGIC
ENERGY AND DEFENSE ALLIANCE BETWEEN PRESIDENTS
KIRCHNER LULA AND CHAVEZ ALLEGED MEETING BETWEEN A/S
SHANNON AND PRESIDENT KIRCHNER 01/20/06



1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Today's leading international stories include Bin
Laden's warning that he is preparing new attacks in
the US; French President Chirac's warning that nuclear
weapons could be used as a response to a state
terrorist attack; French Defense Minister offering
Argentina five supply radars for Super Etendard navy
aircraft; Presidents Kirchner, Lula and Chavez'
agreement to move on the construction of a proposed
8,000-km natural gas pipeline that will go across
South America, oil exploration business and
coordination of the three countries' defense policies;
President Kirchner's statement that Mercosur will not
hinder an eventual FTA between the US and Uruguay; and
an alleged meeting between A/S Thomas Shannon and
President Kirchner in La Paz. Conservative "La Prensa"
and "Buenos Aires Herald" cover press conference by
John Kelly Jr. on a new satellite coverage to prevent
natural disasters.


2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "Kirchner, Lula and Chavez make progress on energy
and defense issues"

Natasha Niebieskikwiat, on special assignment in
Brasilia for leading "Clarin," writes (01/20) "The
integrationist partnership sought by the governments
of Brazil, Venezuela andArgentina took one more step
in the summit held among Nestor Kirchner, Lula and
Hugo Chavez by moving on proposals to reach energy and
defense deals.

"The construction of the Southern Pipeline... is the
task of this energy integration. But in their
encounter, the presidents made progress on the oil
exploration business, and they now seek to strengthen
the three countries' military industries and
coordinate their defense policies."

- "The impact of an alliance made under a straw roof"

Maria Luisa Mac Kay, political columnist of leading
"Clarin," writes (01/20) "... The US must be closely
watching what happens in the Southern Cone at the
moment.

"Kirchner, Lula and Chavez made progress on a
strategic alliance based on two fundamental points -
energy and defense. They are already talking about

their own financial resources to sustain it.

"They developed a pipeline project, which a couple of
months ago, sounded like a crazy idea, and they even
dared talk about deals to manufacture weapons and
aircraft that must have rung alarm bells in
Washington.

"Under a straw roof, the three leaders spoke about
their alliance following A/S Thomas Shannon's
suggestion that 'populist governments' are not
necessarily bad for the Bush administration."

- "Mercosur, between politics and economy"

Alejandra Gallo, economic columnist of leading
"Clarin," comments (01/20 "During the Brasilia
meeting, Argentina and Brazil sought to strengthen -
or finally rescue - Mercosur and if they manage to do
so, they will favor those who are already members and
add new faces.

"They seek to make up a regional alliance that could
become a true pole of power, which may be useful in
any kind of relationship with the US. Political
messages from Argentine presidents Kirchner and Lula
were conclusive and confirmed this direction. However,
everyday life seems more complex because it is mingled
with business, economy and trade deals."

- "Kirchner - 'If an FTA with Uruguay is advisable for
Uruguay, then, Uruguay should do it'"

Leading "Clarin's" special envoys to Brasilia write



(01/20) "... During a press interview with 'Clarin,'
'La Nacion,' 'Pagina 12' and 'Telam' wire service
agency..., President Kirchner underscored that if
Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez finds it useful to
reach an FTA with the US, then he should do it. We are
not gendarmes.'

"Kirchner remarked that the Uruguayan rapprochement
with Washington may have been a consequence of the
lack of response from its two big partners (Brazil and
Argentina) to its requirements... Later on, even
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez himself supported
Kirchner's idea - an FTA with the main world power
does not necessarily go against South American
integration."

- "US business show will be in April"

Business-financial "Ambito Financiero" reports (01/20)
"President Nestor Kirchner will meet again with US
Assistant Secretary Thomas Shannon on Sunday in La Paz
during Evo Morales' presidential inauguration...

"During this meeting, they are expected to discuss the
details of the reestablishment of US-Argentine
bilateral relationship in terms of trade and
investment. Shannon, Kirchner and De Vido will again
discuss details of the seminar they talked about
during Shannon's visit to Buenos Aires last week.

"Said presentation will happen in April and will be in
charge of A/S Shannon and Ambassador Lino Gutierrez,
on behalf of the Bush administration, and Argentine
Consul to New York Hector Timermann, on behalf of the
Argentine Government."

To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires

The Media Reaction Report reflects articles and
opinions by the cited news media and do not
necessarily reflect U.S. Embassy policy or views. The
Public Affairs Section does not independently verify
information. The report is intended for internal U.S.
Government use only.

GUTIERREZ