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 SUMMARY STATEMENT Papers lead with the new scandal following the broadcast by an Australian TV station of previously unpublished images of apparent abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib.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