UPCOMING US ELECTIONS; US AMBASSADOR TO ARGENTINA EARL

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002456

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: UPCOMING US ELECTIONS; US AMBASSADOR TO ARGENTINA EARL
ANTHONY WAYNE; 11/01/06



1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Leading international stories today include the upcoming US
legislative elections; and a radio interview with Argentine
Ambassador Jose Octavio Bordon about US Ambassador to Argentina Earl
Anthony Wayne.

Leading "Clarin" carries an op-ed page by Francis Fukuyama,
professor of International Political Economics at Johns Hopkins
School of Advanced International Studies, which is headlined "The US
- the eternal return of secrecy and conspiracy theory," Fukuyama
highlights that "it is often said that everything changed since the
September 11 attacks; however, the Bush administration has methods
of facing long-standing national security issues that are based on
exaggerating threats, concealing information and restraining
liberties."


2. OPINION PIECES

- "Bush faces a new referendum"

Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (11/01) "Only six days from US
elections, the election debate is far from the future legislative
agenda and much closer to the White House than Republicans would
have liked, to the extent that elections have become a virtual
referendum on President Bush, his administration, and above all
Iraq.

"... In contrast to the support the White House has had since 2001,
now only 38 percent of voters say they still believe the invasion of
Iraq was a good idea, while 61 percent believe Bush does not seem to
have a clear plan to deal with the war."

- "New voting machines are already a headache"

Hinde Pomeraniec, on special assignment in Washington D.C for
leading "Clarin," writes (11/01) "Mistrust prevails among experts
and ordinary people regarding the new electronic voting machines,
which will be used for the November 7 legislative elections here in
the US. Fear of technological error adds to fear of fraud, a specter
that is mostly roused by Democrats (who lost the last three
elections) but based on evidence to which no one objects.

"... According to a recent Pew Institute opinion survey published by
the 'Time' magazine, 55 percent of Americans are registered to vote,
but only 35 percent do it regularly and the remaining 20 percent do
it intermittently.

"... The truth is that a confusing system will be inaugurated on
Tuesday, too sensitive to human error. Manipulation was also a
factor when everything was on paper. The outcome of the upcoming
elections will tell whether technology favors or limits fraud
attempts."

- "Republicans - much to lose"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" carries an opinion piece by Ruben M.
Perina, Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations,
University of Pennsylvania, an Argentine who has lived in Washington
D.C. since 1980 (11/01) "Next Tuesday, the US will elect one third
of its senators and all of its representatives on Capitol Hill.
These mid-term elections are important for various reasons. First of
all, because this is the opportunity to debate the ongoing public
policies on national and local political issues, among them, the
so-called 'culture of corruption' in Washington, which has
contributed to deteriorating the image of Congress, and as this is
now controlled by the G.O.P., this party is the one with more to
lose...

"... Generally speaking, a Congress controlled by the President's
political party tends to support the President's initiatives but as
long as they do not violate the fundamental principles of
independence. The Executive Branch's intransigence or abuse of power
sooner or later leads even ruling party legislators to question the
President's policy. Today we see this regarding the war and
occupation of Iraq... On the other hand, a Congress dominated by
Democrats will energetically oppose the current direction of policy
on Iraq and will call for change. The swiftness and extent of the
change will largely depend on the outcome of the elections but, even
more important, on the ability of the new legislative leadership to
build bipartisan consensus in the institution and with the
Republican presidency. Congress cannot rule alone."

- "New US Ambassador in Argentina"

Radio America interviewed Argentine Ambassador to the US Jose

Octavio Bordon (10/31) "Asked about the new US Ambassador to
Argentina Anthony Wayne, Bordon said that 'Ambassador Anthony Wayne
is a man with a long diplomatic career, who has been in charge of
US-European ties for a long time and in charge of international
economic relations for four years... And I think he was the second
or third USG official who visited Argentina after President Kirchner
took over'... Asked what agenda US Ambassador Wayne would promote in
Argentina, Ambassador Bordon said that 'there are three main issues
- the expansion of trade, which has increased in a balanced way and
in which Argentina enjoys a small surplus... - we import capital
goods from the US, elements for air transportation, all of which are
related to Argentine investment and growth. We want to obtain
greater access to US markets... The second topic is related to an
increase in our foreign direct investment in the US. The third topic
is scientific and technological cooperation. Then you have the
traditional issues... But I would say that these are the main topics
that should be especially targeted and that should be included in a
more active and positive agenda between the two countries.'"

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

MATERA