DEATH OF PINOCHET; DIGITAL TV STANDARD COMPETITION IN

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002753 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: DEATH OF PINOCHET; DIGITAL TV STANDARD COMPETITION IN ARGENTINA; US-LATIN AMERICAN TIES; TRI-BORDER AREA; BOLIVIA; 12/14/06; BUENOS AIRES ¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT Key international stories today include the implications of the death of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet; the debate over Argentina's upcoming decision on digital TV standard; US Assistant Secretary Shannon's statements about US ties with Latin America; SIPDIS the USG's designation of individuals and entities providing financial and logistical support for Hezbollah in the Tri-Border; and mounting tension in Bolivia. ¶2. OPINION PIECES - "A dictator leaves the scene" James Neilson, contributor to English-language "Buenos Aires Herald," writes (12/14) "Augusto Pinochet's demise at the ripe old age of 91 is being celebrated with ghoulish glee by many people who loathed him not because he was a merciless dictator but because he was something that in their view is a great deal worse: a rightwing dictator who espoused, after a fashion, free-market economic policies. Unlike those who have sound personal reasons to detest him and all his works, their feelings are determined entirely by ideology... "By the standards prevailing in Western democracies, Pinochet was a nasty piece of work and his regime was brutal. By Second and Third World standards, the Chilean dictatorship he headed for 17 years was relatively benign... "... Vile though the abuses perpetrated by his regime undoubtedly were, it cannot be denied that the extreme left gave him plenty of excuses for acting the way he did." - "Digital TV -US digital TV standard preferred" Leading "Clarin" reports (12/14) "The arrival of digital TV in Argentina is nearing, after the announcement by TV cable suppliers of a 2.5 billion dollars plus investment to digitalize their networks and expand the broadband service they already provide. But a feud has broken out about the digital TV standard that should be chosen. "And according to the unanimous opinion of manufacturers of equipment, experts in sound and some operators, the US digital TV standard (ATSC) is the one that provides the best 'technical, economic and inclusion' benefits among the technologies available..." - "The US believes that Cuba toughened its regime" Business-financial, center-right "InfoBae" (12/14) reports "During a conference where he made an assessment of the US ties with the region, US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon asserted that, after Cuban leader Fidel Castro became ill and power in Cuba was transferred to his brother Raul, the island's regime has toughened, something that prevents eventual reformist leaders from emerging. "The USG (representative) added that he does not believe there could be change in Cuba 'until Fidel is gone' and that once that happens, the next government will have to set the path and decide between 'increased repression' and making progress on opening up to the international community. "Shannon pointed out that there are no 'clear signs' the latter might happen at the moment. But he added the US follows the situation closely. He also said that it is important to create a common stance in the hemisphere about the future of the island and that Washington is committed to a process of change that will facilitate transition to democracy in Cuba. "Regarding the US ties with the countries of the region, and bearing in mind the nations the US has most clashed with, Shannon explained that the US wants to improve its ties with the whole of Latin America. 'Time has come to commit again with our distant partners in the region and focus on the way in which we can have a relevant performance.' "Shannon added that Washington expects to 'normalize its ties' with Venezuela, while he acknowledged that 'there was a clear winner in the country and that the opposition had admitted its defeat,' which he considered good for Venezuela and the entire region." ¶3. EDITORIALS - "Report on the Tri-Border area" An editorial in leading "Clarin" reads (12/14) "For the first time, the USG has released concrete information related to terrorist suspects that are reportedly providing financial and logistical support for Hezbollah from the Tri-Border area... "The US Treasury Department contributed new information about a group of residents in Ciudad del Este, and holds them liable for financial activities related to Hezbollah. The Argentine, Brazilian and Paraguayan governments reacted with caution to this warning, but the truth is that little is known about illegal activities being performed on the Tri-Border area. "... The strong presence of an Arab community in the area and its economic ties with the Middle East raises concern. Washington's warning is based on these ties and on transactions that have not been clarified so far... "... The differing views of the US, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay about terrorism-related activities on the Tri-Border area could be solved through a more efficient regional surveillance, control and prevention." - "Mounting tension in Bolivia" Leading "Clarin" editorializes (12/14),"The official party's behavior at the Constituent Assembly, and particularly the intransigency attributed to its leader, Silvia Lazarte, seems to have brought Bolivia once again to a dangerous crossroads. "... In an unacceptable interference in Bolivia's domestic affairs, Venezuelan Ambassador to La Paz, Julio Montes, said that if the Morales administration asked Venezuela for troops to support him, Venezuela would consider it. "The Morales administration should bet on dialogue and keep the intemperance of some of MAS militants at bay. "Lack of respect for the rule of law seems to have brought Bolivia back to the verge of dangerous social clashes. There is still some more time to seek consensus." To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires WAYNE