ARGENTINA WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN EXPANDED UNIFIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001839 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR P, EUR, NEA, PM, IO SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2016 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL LE AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN EXPANDED UNIFIL REF: STATE 134133 Classified By: CDA Michael Matera for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Charge delivered reftel demarche on August 16 to Acting Undersecretary for Foreign Policy Luis Cappagli regarding possible Argentine participation in expanded UNIFIL peacekeeping force. Cappagli listened attentively to Charge's argument for Argentine participation but stated that the decision had been made "at the highest level" not to contribute to an expanded UNIFIL and that he thought it very unlikely that this decision would be overturned. (Note: Cappagli's statements confirm Argentine media reports this morning quoting Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Garcia Moritan that the GoA would not contribute to a Lebanese peacekeeping force. End note.) Cappagli said official instructions to this effect were being conveyed now to the Argentine mission in New York. ¶2. (C) Cappagli said a number of factors influenced the GoA decision. While the GoA was "very pleased" with the passage of UNSCR 1701, the resolution left unanswered a number of issues which made Argentine participation "very difficult." He mentioned as examples the mandate of the force ("between chapter six and seven"),the question of prisoner exchanges and the timing of troop withdrawals. However, Cappagli said that ultimately the decision not to participate had been based on domestic political reasons. Argentina, he said, has both a large Jewish and Middle Eastern population which currently live together harmoniously. The government, he said, did not want to risk provoking potential domestic political or security problems through participation in a Middle Eastern peacekeeping force. ¶3. (C) Charge asked Cappagli about media reports that the Argentine decision not to participate was based on Brazil's reported decision not to contribute to UNIFIL. Cappagli denied there was any bilateral connection to the GoA's decision. MATERA