US PRESIDENT BUSH ON ISRAELI OFFENSIVE AGAINST LEBANON; USG

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001586

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 PRESIDENT BUSH ON ISRAELI OFFENSIVE AGAINST LEBANON; USG
CHARGES CHAVEZ WITH PROMOTING TERRORISM; STATUS OF NEW US AMBASSADOR
TO ARGENTINA; 07/14/06;BUENOS AIRES



1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Local papers lead with US President George W. Bush supporting
Israeli offensive against Lebanon after the Hezbollah militia
captured two Israeli soldiers on Wednesday; the USG accusing
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez of promoting terrorism; and
Ambassador Wayne's confirmed nomination to be the new US Ambassador
to Argentina being postponed. Local dailies also report on The Hague
World Court rejection of Argentina's request that two European firms
halt construction of two paper mills in Uruguay until environmental
impact can be fully assessed.


2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "Bush justifies military offensive against the Lebanon"

Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (07/14) "Contradicting other G8
and EU powers, US President George W. Bush yesterday justified
Israel's attacks against Lebanon. However, he warned that Israel
would have to be careful not to weaken the Beirut government because
'the day after' could jeopardize its interests even further.

"Bush said 'Israel has the right to defend itself.'White House
support for Israel has widened discord with the rest of the
so-called international 'quartet' (the EU, the UN and Russia),which
rejected the Israeli offensive or considered it 'disproportionate.'

"This point of disagreement will also hinder Bush's plans to come to
a common position vis-`-vis Iran and North Korea's nuclear ambitions
while he tries to find a way out for the troops in Iraq, which
should include multilateral support."

- "The US vetoes (UN) resolution against the Jewish State"

Business-financial "El Cronista" reports (07/14) "Yesterday, the US
vetoed a resolution submitted by Qatar to the UN Security Council,
which condemned Israel's military incursions into the Gaza Strip.

"The UK, Peru, Denmark and Slovakia abstained from the vote.
However, the measure did not progress in spite of ten votes in its
favor.

"It is not the first time the US vetoes a resolution at the UN
Security Council, which is related to the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict. The last time it did so was in October 2004."

- "Bush supports Israel: 'Israel has the right to defend itself'"

Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin,"
writes (07/14) "US President George W. Bush openly supported the
Israeli attacks against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip by saying that
'Israel has the right to defend itself' and that kidnapped soldiers
should be released.

"While Bush's statements were widely praised by the US Jewish
community, they unleashed tension in Europe, which will not favor
the search for a joint solution. As a matter of fact, the EU termed
the use of Israeli force as 'disproportionate' while Russia urged to
avoid 'an open confrontation in the region.' US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice, also in Germany, downplayed Bush's statements by
saying that the USG asked for 'moderation' from Israel. Rice
dismissed criticism of the military actions launched against
Lebanon."

- "Bush warns Syria and Iran defends it"

Business-financial "Ambito Financiero" reports (07/14) "In the midst
of an escalation of war in the Middle East, the US confirmed its
support for Israel and joined it in suspecting Syria's role in
fueling the crisis. This sparked Iran's reaction, which warned
against an attack on the Arab country.

"While in Germany, US President George W. Bush said that 'Israel has
the right to defend itself'..., but whatever it does 'should not
weaken' the Lebanese administration.

"... Bush also referred to Syria as suspected, along with Iran, of
masterminding the kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers."

- "Steps of a dangerous retreat"

Oscar Raul Cardoso, international analyst of leading "Clarin,"
opines (07/14) "... Now, the challenge for Olmert and his government
to undo history is double. The Israeli military leader who refered
to an occupation of at least part of Lebanon seems to have forgotten


that between 1982 and 2000, Israel occupied and maintained a
so-called 'security area' in South Lebanon with the same excuse,
i.e., eliminating hostile forces. Neither the grabbing of the Strip
since the start of the Six Day War in the 60s nor the partial
occupation of Lebanon bore the expected fruits, and there is no
clear reason why this time the result would be different.

"This temptation to retreat is strong... With its disproportionate
attacks of these days, Israel's legitimate cause seems to be
fading...

"... The Israeli version of events starts to be questioned by
friendly countries like the US.

"No one doubts the legitimate right of a country to defend itself,
but it is clear that the lack of proportion of its means has not
obtained the same support as at other times."

- "Washington hints that Chavez is another promoter of terrorism"

Conservative "La Prensa" reads (07/14) "The USG warned that
Venezuela's entry into the UN Security Council could have a
'negative impact' while an influential legislator hinted that
Venezuela is on the verge of being considered a 'promoter' of
terrorism.

"Franc C. Urbancic, number two at the Office of Coordination for
Counter-terrorism at the US Department of State, pointed out that
the Chavez regime 'is not in line with the world,' and he added that
Chavez's 'irresponsible rhetoric' and 'negative impact' could expand
if Venezuela obtains a seat on the UN Security Council.

"It is the first time the US Department of State expresses its fears
vis-`-vis Venezuela's possible entry into the UN Security Council in
replacement of Argentina."

- "The nomination of the US Ambassador to Argentina is blocked
again"

Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin,"
comments (07/14) "The confirmation of new US Ambassador to
Argentina, Earl Anthony Wayne, has been blocked once again. No one
in Washington dares predict when he will be confirmed, or even
whether he will manage to be confirmed.

"... This time, the one who filed an objection to Wayne's nomination
was Republican Senator from Nevada John Ensign. While Wayne has
already been confirmed by the (Senate Foreign Relations) Committee,
Ensign managed to hold his consideration by the full Senate. And the
reason is exactly the same one that Mel Martinez filed (that Wayne
refused to increase funds for Radio and TV Marti).

"... In fact, USG and Argentine officials confirmed to 'Clarin' that
Wayne would be in Argentina no later than September. No one thought
that another senator could hold up his nomination again. Because the
US Congress begins its recess the first week of August, they now
fear the confirmation could be postponed to September.

"A US Senate Foreign Relations Committee told 'Clarin' 'Not all
Republican senators agree with what is happening.' 'Wayne is not a
controversial figure. He handles financial issues very well, and
this is something important in Argentina. This is why what is
happening does not reflect everyone's thinking. On the contrary,
some senators believe that not having a representative in Argentina
is a disadvantage.'

"... While the confirmation could be postponed indefinitely, it is
also possible that it will happen before the recess."

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

GUTIERREZ