Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUENOSAIRES345
2006-02-13 14:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION IRAN, GLOBAL OUTRAGE OVER
how-toVZCZCXYZ0021 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBU #0345/01 0441408 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 131408Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3464 INFO RHMFIUU/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2// RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000345
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: MEDIA REACTION IRAN, GLOBAL OUTRAGE OVER
MUHAMMAD CARTOONS, HAITI ELECTIONS; BUENOS AIRES
02/08/06
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000345
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: MEDIA REACTION IRAN, GLOBAL OUTRAGE OVER
MUHAMMAD CARTOONS, HAITI ELECTIONS; BUENOS AIRES
02/08/06
1. SUMMARY STATEMENT
The Iranian crisis and its global repercussions
continue to garner media attention, followed by the
international 'furor' over Muhammad's cartoons, which
may 'snowball' and the hectic elections in Haiti,
marred by violent incidents and disorganization.
2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES
- "Incidents and High Participation in Haiti"
Center-right, daily-of-record "La Nacion" says (02/08)
"Despite the enormous security operation implemented
by the 9,500 members of the UN peace mission, Haitian
elections experienced serious organizational flaws,
with major delays in opening polling stations, and
several acts of violence, which left behind four
casualties and several wounded.
"Nevertheless, the most ominous predictions of armed
attacks against voters, as occurred in Haiti's
previous elections, didn't materialize, and UN and
Provisional Electoral Council members were pleased
with the broad participation of the citizenry...."
- "Necessary and Sufficient"
Pablo Biffi, centrist and leading "Clarin"
international columnist, writes (02/08) "Since the
dark downfall of Aristide in 2004, the international
community has urged for institutional normalization.
In order to 'pacify' the country and lead it to an
election process, the UN invested millions of dollars
to send a military and police contingent of 10,000
men, among them 500 Argentines. Very little of that
effort is perceived by its extremely poor population.
Undoubtedly, a democratically elected government is
necessary. But, if Haiti doesn't receive urgent
financial aid, invests in education, health,
infrastructure and creates jobs that will enable the
people to come out of the pitiful economic situation
they suffer, troops and - less still - a legitimate
government, won't help."
- "NATO Venue Attacked in Afghanistan Due to Cartoons"
Center-right, daily-of-record "La Nacion" says (02/08)
"The conflict following the publication of Muhammad's
cartoons by the European press seemed to reach a
global dimension after the Fundamentalist Taliban
militia in Afghanistan called the Islamic world to a
'jihad' and three people died in that country during
an attack against one of NATO's peace forces.
"All 'foreign invaders' are targeted by the Taliban,
said Taliban spokesperson Kari Ahmadi, even though he
warned that the attacks were specially aimed at Danish
troops.
"While mass protests continued, spreading all over
Muslim countries, Denmark's Prime Minister... Anders
Rasmussen warned that the controversy had turned into
'an international crisis.'
".... Two days after infuriated Muslim protesters set
the Danish Consulate in Beirut on fire and tried to do
the same with the Argentine Embassy, our consul in
Lebanon, Guillermo Nicolas, said the region fears
that, as a consequence of the continued publication by
the European press of Muhammad's cartoons, the
situation may turn into 'a snowball.'..."
3. EDITORIALS
- "Seeking a Negotiated Solution with Iran"
An editorial in centrist, leading "Clarin" reads
(02/08) "The crisis sparked by Iran's nuclear program
is a new test for the responsibility of governments
and international diplomacy.
".... By taking for granted that the goal of Iran's
program is to obtain nuclear weapons, the USG has
undertaken a belligerent position.
".... We are now facing a new scenario of
confrontation in which dangerous components such as
the Middle East conflict, Islam's attacks against the
Western world and the nuclear arms race are involved.
".... Hopefully, the most negotiating positions will
prevail over belligerence and eventual nuclear
proliferation programs that might take a very serious
toll on the entire world...."
4. To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
The Media Reaction Report reflects articles and
opinions by the cited news media and do not
necessarily reflect U.S. Embassy policy or views. The
Public Affairs Section does not independently verify
information. The report is intended for internal U.S.
Government use only.
GUTIERREZ
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: MEDIA REACTION IRAN, GLOBAL OUTRAGE OVER
MUHAMMAD CARTOONS, HAITI ELECTIONS; BUENOS AIRES
02/08/06
1. SUMMARY STATEMENT
The Iranian crisis and its global repercussions
continue to garner media attention, followed by the
international 'furor' over Muhammad's cartoons, which
may 'snowball' and the hectic elections in Haiti,
marred by violent incidents and disorganization.
2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES
- "Incidents and High Participation in Haiti"
Center-right, daily-of-record "La Nacion" says (02/08)
"Despite the enormous security operation implemented
by the 9,500 members of the UN peace mission, Haitian
elections experienced serious organizational flaws,
with major delays in opening polling stations, and
several acts of violence, which left behind four
casualties and several wounded.
"Nevertheless, the most ominous predictions of armed
attacks against voters, as occurred in Haiti's
previous elections, didn't materialize, and UN and
Provisional Electoral Council members were pleased
with the broad participation of the citizenry...."
- "Necessary and Sufficient"
Pablo Biffi, centrist and leading "Clarin"
international columnist, writes (02/08) "Since the
dark downfall of Aristide in 2004, the international
community has urged for institutional normalization.
In order to 'pacify' the country and lead it to an
election process, the UN invested millions of dollars
to send a military and police contingent of 10,000
men, among them 500 Argentines. Very little of that
effort is perceived by its extremely poor population.
Undoubtedly, a democratically elected government is
necessary. But, if Haiti doesn't receive urgent
financial aid, invests in education, health,
infrastructure and creates jobs that will enable the
people to come out of the pitiful economic situation
they suffer, troops and - less still - a legitimate
government, won't help."
- "NATO Venue Attacked in Afghanistan Due to Cartoons"
Center-right, daily-of-record "La Nacion" says (02/08)
"The conflict following the publication of Muhammad's
cartoons by the European press seemed to reach a
global dimension after the Fundamentalist Taliban
militia in Afghanistan called the Islamic world to a
'jihad' and three people died in that country during
an attack against one of NATO's peace forces.
"All 'foreign invaders' are targeted by the Taliban,
said Taliban spokesperson Kari Ahmadi, even though he
warned that the attacks were specially aimed at Danish
troops.
"While mass protests continued, spreading all over
Muslim countries, Denmark's Prime Minister... Anders
Rasmussen warned that the controversy had turned into
'an international crisis.'
".... Two days after infuriated Muslim protesters set
the Danish Consulate in Beirut on fire and tried to do
the same with the Argentine Embassy, our consul in
Lebanon, Guillermo Nicolas, said the region fears
that, as a consequence of the continued publication by
the European press of Muhammad's cartoons, the
situation may turn into 'a snowball.'..."
3. EDITORIALS
- "Seeking a Negotiated Solution with Iran"
An editorial in centrist, leading "Clarin" reads
(02/08) "The crisis sparked by Iran's nuclear program
is a new test for the responsibility of governments
and international diplomacy.
".... By taking for granted that the goal of Iran's
program is to obtain nuclear weapons, the USG has
undertaken a belligerent position.
".... We are now facing a new scenario of
confrontation in which dangerous components such as
the Middle East conflict, Islam's attacks against the
Western world and the nuclear arms race are involved.
".... Hopefully, the most negotiating positions will
prevail over belligerence and eventual nuclear
proliferation programs that might take a very serious
toll on the entire world...."
4. To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
The Media Reaction Report reflects articles and
opinions by the cited news media and do not
necessarily reflect U.S. Embassy policy or views. The
Public Affairs Section does not independently verify
information. The report is intended for internal U.S.
Government use only.
GUTIERREZ