MEDIA REACTION ABU GHRAIB, IRAN, HAITI;

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000398

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 ABU GHRAIB, IRAN, HAITI;
BUENOS AIRES 02/16/06

NOT CLEARED BY AN AMERICAN OFFICER


1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Papers lead with the new scandal following the
broadcast by an Australian TV station of previously
unpublished images of apparent abuse of prisoners at
Abu Ghraib. Bush's request of funds to 'democratize'
Iran and the growing allegations of fraud in Haiti
which could lead to more chaos, are also played by the
local media.


2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "New Photos on Abu Ghraib Abuse"

Center-right, daily-of-record "La Nacion" says (02/16)
"Two years after the scandal sparked by U.S. soldiers'
abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib, public
Australian TV SBS broadcast yesterday new photos that
show 'all the horror' of that abuse.

".... According to SBS, the images were recorded at
the same time (2003) as those showing the torture of
Abu Ghraib prisoners, disclosed in 2004, which
triggered international condemnation and forced the
U.S. to shut down the prison. The station says this
country wants to stop the publication of the photos
that are now a legal issue in the U.S., and can't be
shown there. Nevertheless, they were shown to members
of U.S. Congress during a private session in which
they expressed their 'shock' at 'the total horror of
the abuse at Abu Ghraib' depicted by the photos.'

"SBS producer Mike Carey said the images 'confirm the
extended abuse, including murder, torture and sexual
humiliation,' suffered by the prisoners and believes
its broadcast is important 'for people to understand
what took place in Abu Ghraib.'

".... For his part, in Washington, DOD spokesperson,
Bryan Whitman, said the broadcast 'will only fuel and
possibly lead to unnecessary violence that would
jeopardize our military around the world.' In his
opinion, Abu Ghraib abuse has been thoroughly
investigated.'..."

- "Bush Requests Funds to 'Democratize' Iran"

Hugo Alconada Mon, center-right, daily-of-record "La
Nacion" Washington-based correspondent, writes (02/16)
"Determined to stop Iran's nuclear program, Secretary
Rice explained yesterday that the U.S. will foster
international pressure and, eventually, the
implementation of unilateral sanctions against Iran.
But it will also seek to counter the Fundamentalist
rhetoric of Tehran's regime with more funds for the
promotion of democracy.

"At the Senate's influential Foreign Relations
Committee, Rice said the U.S. is walking on 'a thin
line' and requested 75 million dollars to 'support the
democratic hopes of the Iranian people, although she
was immediately criticized by Senators from both
parties.

"The Democrats said President Bush's policies resulted
in new administrations that are against the U.S.,
while two Republican senators - Hagel and Chafee --
referred to the complex realities of Iran and Iraq,
Israel and Palestine.

"Rice explained that, so far, Iran 'has crossed the
line and is now openly challenging' the international
community with its controversial uranium enrichment
program, turning Tehran into 'the major individual
strategic challenge' in the hottest region of the
world.

".... She warned that this hegemony can only be
balanced by a multilateral effort at the UN and, if
necessary, new and stricter unilateral sanctions by
the U.S.

".... But, in addition to sanctions, said Rice, we
must add aid that will allow us to increase 'support
for democracy.'


".... Around 55 million dollars will be allotted to
the improvement of U.S. radio broadcast and kick off
satellite TV transmissions in Farsi, while another 5
million dollars will be assigned to more scholarships
for Iranian students, according to the State
Department.

".... Nevertheless, the senators believe the U.S.
strategy poses serious doubts in view of its results:
the growing influence of Iran in the Persian Gulf; the
rise of Hamas, Hizbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood,
in Palestine, Lebanon and Egypt; the arrival in Iraq
of a Shiite government, with close links with Tehran;
and, in Latin America, the challenges of Bolivia or
Venezuela, which recently backed Iran or the IAEA.

"Republican Senator Hagel - possible candidate for the
2008 presidential elections -- said 'I don't see,
Madame Secretary, how things are getting better. I
think things are getting worse in Iraq and Iran.'..."

- "Moderation"

Pablo Biffi, center-left, leading "Clarin"
international columnist, opines (02/16) "Eight days
after the elections, uncertainty prevails in Haiti.
Protest rallies, ballot boxes that appear in dumps,
and the most voted candidate, Rene Preval, claiming a
major fraud or gross mistakes in the vote count.
Preval - who's on the threshold of the 50% of the
ballots needed to avoid a runoff against Manigat...
says he's ready for ballottage. Of courser, the law
must be respected, but Haiti is today a powder-keg
that may blow off if the poor Haitians - a majority in
the country - feel their ballots 'were robbed.' These
aren't times for fiery words. It's time for moderation
in seeking a way out which - at this point - is more
political than numerical."


3. 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