MIDDLE EAST: IRAN; HEZBOLLAH F}"/fqEcQ funding; security coordination

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001886 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: MIDDLE EAST: IRAN; HEZBOLLAH F}"/fqEcQ funding; security coordination at the Tri-Border area; Argentina's decision to return to the Non-Aligned Movement after 25 years, and Argentina's new nuclear plan. ¶2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES - "Limits" Claudio Mario Aliscioni, leading "Clarin" international columnist, writes (08/23) "... In fact, Tehran emerged stronger from the recent Middle East war due to its links with Hizbollah, which managed to keep Israel's military power in check and led to U.S. impotence. Now, Iran seems to speculate with two conditions: for one part, war enabled it to buy the time it needs to complete its nuclear program without complications. On the other hand, it is aware that Lebanon's fiasco posed limits to its enemies, which work in its favor. These limits, of course, lead to the following question: if Tehran refuses to stop its program, will the U.S. or Israel dare to declare war on Iran?" - "Serious: If Sanctioned Iran Will Bow Out of Global Nuclear Control" A front-page editorial in business-financial "Ambito Financiero" reads (08/23) "The escalation of the conflict surrounding Iran's nuclear program is mounting. Yesterday, Tehran's offer to the international community of a 'serious dialogue' instead of fully canceling its uranium enrichment process in exchange for incentives, looks more like an attempt to delay the issue even further. The idea of the Islamic regime is to take advantage of the usual differences between the U.S., Russia and China at the UN. Nevertheless, the UNSC gave Iran an ultimatum, following which sanctions appear inevitable. If this occurs, Tehran might break away from international controls and move forward - without restrictions - towards a plan suspected of having aggressive military goals." - "GOA to Invest 3.5 Billion Dollars to Re-launch Nuclear Plan" Antonio Rossi, leading "Clarin" political columnist, says (08/23) "the GOA will announce today the plan aimed at reactivating its nuclear sector with the purpose of concluding the Atucha II plant and kicking off plans for the construction of a fourth atomic plant, as well as the resumption of the production of enriched uranium, interrupted in the '80's. ".... The plan will imply a 3.5 billion-dollar investment in the next eight years and will create at least 6,000 jobs. It will focus on the reactivation of two strategic issues: the generation of electricity and the development of nuclear technology applications and services in the health, industry and scientific sectors. ".... The official decision to resume its nuclear program is based on both political and economic issues. On the economic side, there's a need to seek alternate energy sources, and, politically, the GOA wants to return to the international arena in a highly sensitive sector, which will supply important revenues in the sale of equipment and services to those States that do not have nuclear development. ".... The story points out that, of all its measures, the one that is more likely to spark growing concern and possible short-circuits with the U.S. is the reactivation of the uranium enrichment plant. However, Energy authorities believe there won't be any problems with the U.S. administration because all activities will take place under the umbrella of the agreement signed with Canada and the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, which work closely with the U.S., under its strict rules and supervision." - "Chavez-Castro Influence: Argentina Returns to 'Non-Aligned'" Carlos Pagni, business-financial "Ambito Financiero" political columnist, writes (08/23) "Argentina will again be part of the Non-Aligned Movement, like it did between 1973 and 1991, when President Menem decided to pull Argentina out of the organization. The decision, made at the MFA's Bureau of International Organizations, was approved and lies on Foreign Minister Taiana's desk. Argentina's UN representative will request the Cuban ambassador an invitation for an Argentine delegation to participate in the up-coming Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Havana, which will take place on September 11. ".... This decision has several explanations: first, the desire to participate in the G-15 summit that will also take place in Havana between September 11 and 13, to discuss economic issues of peripheral countries, in addition to the summit of the Non-Aligned. But this is a poor excuse, because other G-15 members decided this participation isn't necessary. ".... Beyond other pretexts, Ambito notes the euphemism beneath 'Non-alignment' since its creation in 1955: anti-imperialism understood as 'opposition to the U.S.' ".... The Menem administration decided Argentina's withdrawal from the Non-aligned Movement after forcing the rejection of several of his proposals inspired in classic Liberal principles, such as freedom of the press... And this decision to pull out was viewed by many as a present to Washington's 'carnal relations'. ".... Although the Non-Aligned Movement lost its original meaning with the end of the Cold War and the fall of real socialism, it emphasized its subliminal message: its militant anti-U.S. position. In addition, Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia are there too, but not the other Mercosur countries. The club has turned into a group that strongly defends nationalistic and left-wing views, and, is above all, pro-Arab in the Middle East conflict. Also, among the proposals that will be voted at the Havana summit, is an endorsement of Iran's nuclear plan. "Argentina's reincorporation, at least as an observer, allows Kirchner to achieve three simultaneous goals. First: he's able to mark a difference with former President Menem; second, he can please those who support his rapprochement with Castro, Morales and Chavez... and third, he wants to recruit votes to discuss the Malvinas issue at the UNSC...." - "Hezbollah's Millions Arrive Daily in Suitcases" Silvia Pisani, on special assignment in Bourg el Barajineh, Lebanan, for "La Nacion," writes (08/23) "With brown plastic bags full of bills, the so-called Party of G-d breaks all records on political payment: no less than 10 million dollars a day and in cash, directly to the pockets of those Lebanese that suffered in the war. "Other sources pointed to, consistently, Iran as the principal source of the funds... "... Druse leader Wallid Jumblat admitted to "La Nacion" that there is no way to control Hezbollah's money. 'If someone finds a way to investigate it, they should let me know.' "In sum, in a few months, will be about one billion dollars in cash payments." ¶3. EDITORIALS - "More Coordination at the Tri-Border Area" An editorial in leading "Clarin" reads (08/23) "... The Tri-Border Area is a region where, in the past years, there has been a notable increase in trade activities without an efficacious control, where the line that separates legality from illegality is weak, and there are other activities taking place that might affect the security of regional countries. "However, for a long time, governments sharing the same border haven't paid enough attention to the problem, allowing it to become worse. "In 2002, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and the U.S. created the '3+1' group, aimed at reinforcing security in the region, and, for the last ten years, the so-called Tri-Border's Tripartite Command has been working in Foz de Iguazu, in order to coordinate control of the activities. "Now, the recent creation of the Regional Intelligence Center is aimed at meeting the same international concerns, but also, solving the countries' own security flaws in that strategic border area." To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires MATERA