WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST; THE US ROLE; GUANTANAMO; ARGENTINE

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001707

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: WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST; THE US ROLE; GUANTANAMO; ARGENTINE
PRESIDENT'S ISOLATIONISM; AMBASSADOR WAYNE 07/31/06



1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Weekend papers cover the war in the Middle East; the UN Human Rights
Committee notifying the US that it should close all its secret
centers of detention; the confirmation of Ambassador Wayne as US
Ambassador to Argentina; and Argentine President Kirchner's
isolationism.


2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "Blair and Bush pressure for a fast deployment of international
troops"

Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," comments (07/30) "Shoulder to shoulder,
just like during the last three years in Iraq, US President George

W. Bush and UK PM Tony Blair announced yesterday that they would
promote a UN resolution ordering the deployment of an international
force in South Lebanon...

"However, Bush and Blair distanced themselves from other world
leaders, from France, Germany, Russia, China and the Arab bloc, by
refusing to call for an immediate ceasefire and warning that a plan
to face long-term disputes in the region should be negotiated.

"... The White House's refusal to call for an immediate cease fire,
the failure of the Rome conference, and Washington's strong support
for Israel for the last three weeks was interpreted by Israeli
authorities as an implicit sign to continue their offensive as long
as necessary."

- "Bush, Iraq and a problem that is not only a language-related
problem"

Gustavo Sierra, international columnist of leading "Clarin," writes
(07/30) "... It is not only a language-related problem. It is
basically related to lack of understanding of the Middle East. The
Bush administration never understood what an invasion of Iraq
implied...

"Three years later, it is wrong again. When everyone expected the
Bush administration to announce a troop reduction, US President Bush
asserted during a press conference that he would send more US
marines to Iraq in view of the humanitarian crisis in the country.

"Bush seems to be suffering from the same myopia in the offensive
against Hezbollah in Lebanon. He is delaying an intervention for a
cease fire and let Israeli airplanes continue bombing almost
indiscriminately instead of focusing on Hezbollah... He let war
spread, thereby unleashing more resentment towards the US and Israel
than towards Hezbollah's terrorists."

- "I, the Supreme"

Telma Luzani, international columnist of leading "Clarin," writes
(07/29) "Yesterday, in a new exhibition of unilateralism, US
President George W. Bush proposed to send 'a multinational
stabilization force' to solve the crisis between Israel and
Lebanon.

"His decision is not only worrisome because of what it means as an
escalation in the militarization of the world but because it
overlooks Europe and international institutions in planning meetings
in search for peace. No one spoke of a cease fire in Washington
yesterday."

- "A current tragedy"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" carries an opinion piece by contributor
Natalio Botana, who writes (07/30) "... Every falling house in
Lebanon fuels the boiling pot of resentment.

"As a matter of fact, the UN is unarmed, Europe continues bogged
down in its lack of action, and the US is part of the conflict as a
faithful ally of Israel...

"In Latin America, Venezuela, the new permanent member of Mercosur,
is a confessed militant in favor of Iran.

"In a few words, this is a world without mediators. Lack of
international mediation is a sign of the overwhelming paradox in
which we are part because this world is increasingly interconnected
on several levels (economic, demographic and cultural) but it has a
persistent political deficit."

- "Middle East - a return to the worst past"

Leading "Clarin" (07/29) carries an opinion piece by international
analyst Oscar Raul Cardoso (07/29) "The Israeli offensive in Lebanon
could unite all Islamic factions and the more moderate Arab
governments against it...

"Yesterday, even the international newspapers that are more
reluctant to criticize the Israeli offensive gave broad coverage to
the Arab countries' increasing malaise vis-`-vis the military
offensive and the way this view is influencing governments.

"... As President Jacques Chirac has wisely said, 'the solution' of
this crisis 'is not military.' The US and Israeli political myopia
is amazing...

"If, as US Secretary of State said, the war in the Middle East is
equal to the 'delivery pain of a new Middle East,' we should come to
terms that we run the risk of giving birth to a fossilized past."

- "The decisive battle"

Centrist "Perfil" (07/30) carries an opinion piece by political
analyst Jorge Castro, who writes "... Israel is facing a strategic
crossroads - it may not afford not to win. A strategic tie with
Hezbollah would be the same as the defeat of Israel...

"Today's war in the Middle East has a systemic nature - Iraq,
Afghanistan, Lebanon. What happens in Lebanon will transmit its
consequences to the rest. Both on a military and political-strategic
level, this implies Iran's isolation or a strengthening of its
hegemonic claims (nuclear program).

"The Middle East is today the most strategic region in the world
based on an equation of its two terms - oil and conflicts."

- "According to the UN, the US should close secret prisons"

Leading "Clarin" reports (07/29) "The UN Human Rights Committee
notified the US that it should immediately close all its centers of
detention, after having released a highly critical report on
Washington, which the latter already rejected.

"While the UN Human Rights Committee does not mention the US naval
base in Guantanamo, it indirectly condemned the illegal status of
some 500 detainees, most of whom were brought from Arab countries
occupied by the US.

"... On Guantanamo, the Committee report implies that this prison
should also be closed by making it clear that the US should also
honor humanitarian deals outside of its territory...

"For its part, the US has rejected the implementation of the Human
Rights Convention outside of its territory, and expressed its
'disappointment' about the conclusions of the report."

- "US Ambassador's nomination is confirmed"

Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," comments (07/29)"Yesterday, after two
months of negotiations and unexpected retreats with Cuban lobbyists
in the US, Earl Anthony Wayne officially became the new US
Ambassador to Argentina, where he is expected to arrive in
mid-September.

"According to legislative sources, the US Senate approved his
nomination by 'unanimous consensus,' a practice which allows
senators to prevent a nomination, like Wayne's, from being subject
to voting.

"... The hurdle for Wayne's nomination was lifted yesterday when
Senator Ensign got the conclusions of a report on the 'Havana case'
from the Office for Foreign Assets Control, at the US Department of
the Treasury.

"Now that his nomination has been confirmed, 'Tony' Wayne's agenda
for Buenos Aires becomes again the focus of consideration. He will
promote commercial ties, which is his field of expertise, and he
will focus his political concern on the Argentine Government's ties
with Hugo Chavez.

"During a hearing at the US Senate, Wayne said that 'it is important
that Argentina continues creating a more welcoming investment
climate.' 'Only in this way will the country be able to consolidate
the benefits of its economic growth and deal with the real problem
of poverty.' Direct and straight, Wayne praised the reforms promoted
by the Menem administration in the '90s, and he labeled the
country's view of the US and the IMF a 'distortion.'

"Apart from the Cubans, Washington's powerful supported Wayne. An
advisor to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee told 'La
Nacion' that Wayne 'will serve as a bridge among peoples at a very
important moment of the US-Argentine bilateral relationship.' We
expect that his priority will be creating the conditions for our
governments to 'return' (just like Gardel used to sing) to the
relationship of the past.'"

- "In new US ambassador's agenda, investment will be top priority"

Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin,"
writes (07/30) "... After the Cuban lobbyists hindered the
confirmation of Earl Anthony Wayne's nomination as US Ambassador to
Buenos Aires, the US Senate finally approved his nomination on
Friday. In this way, brand-new Ambassador Wayne will arrive in
Argentina in September...

"Having been the Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs at the US
Department of State, Wayne has closely followed the Argentine
economy since its big crisis. During the hearing at the US Senate
Foreign Relations Committee in which his nomination was analyzed,
Wayne promised that his three priorities will be the investment
climate, the expansion of bilateral trade, and the FTAA.

"... Wayne's arrival in Argentina will coincide with a conflictive
political moment. During September, the UN General Assembly will
choose the Latin American country that will replace Argentina at the
UN Security Council. The US has ferociously lobbied in favor of
Guatemala, but Argentina and all Mercosur countries have committed
themselves to voting for Venezuela, which has spread concern among
Republicans and Democrats.

"A USG source told 'Clarin' that those senators who represent states
where there are businessmen who are concerned about IPR and judicial
security in Argentina voted in favor of Wayne's candidacy."

- "Argentina's international isolation"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" carries an opinion piece by prestigious
political columnist Joaquin Morales Sola, who writes (07/30) "...
President Kirchner has an isolationist trend that could affect the
country for a long time. As a matter of fact, now is the moment of
greatest international tension for Argentina since 1983.

"... Kirchner's own agenda for this year is almost empty - he is
seldom invited anywhere and just a few heads of State visit him.
Kirchner only attends summits.

"... Kirchner could have a problem - a leader is not only judged for
what he does but also for what he does not do."

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

MATERA