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