MEDIA REACTION IRAN MIDDLE EAST US-BOLIVIA

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000535

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 MIDDLE EAST US-BOLIVIA
ARGENTINE VOTE AT THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE
03/08/06


1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Today's major international stories include US
President Bush's speech on the International Women's
Day; US Vice President Dick Cheney's threats to Iran
if it does not suspend its enriched uranium-related
activities; the US and Russia rejecting Iran's
proposal to enrich uranium in small amounts in its
territory; Israel threatening Hamas leaders; Bolivian
President Evo Morales not returning armament to the
USG in response to the suspension of its military aid
package for Bolivia; the aftermath of the press
conference with US Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition
and Consumer Service Eric M. Bost; and Argentina
reportedly not condemning Cuba at the UN Human Rights
Committee.


2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "Cheney threatens Iran with 'serious consequences'"

Leading "Clarin" reports (03/08) "US VP Dick Cheney
threatened Iran with 'serious consequences' if it does
not suspend its enriched uranium-related activities.

"During a speech at the Israel-American Public Affairs
Committee, Cheney said that Tehran should know that
'if it maintains its current line, the international
community is ready to impose serious sanctions.' 'We
will not let Iran have any nuclear weapons.'

"Cheney's statements were made after Russia and the US
approached their positions during a meeting in
Washington between Russian FM Sergei Lavrov and his US
counterpart, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice."

- Washington toughens its stance on Iran"

Conservative "La Prensa" reports (03/08) "Yesterday,
the USG warned Iran - that it believes that any kind
of enriched uranium-related activity in Iran is
absolutely unacceptable, while VP Dick Cheney assured
that the USG will not let the Iranian regime access
nuclear weapons.

"After having met with Russian FM Sergei Lavrov, US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice toughened her

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rhetoric vis--vis Iran, although she did not mention
that the UN could impose sanctions on Iran."

- "US and Russia reject an Iranian proposal"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" (03/08) reports "While the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is analyzing
in detail the Iranian nuclear program, Moscow and
Washington rejected yesterday a Tehran proposal to
enrich uranium in small amounts on its territory.

"... The Iranian decision has been interpreted
differently by various diplomats gathered in Vienna -
according to some, it is an attempt to prevent the UN
Security Council from starting consultations about
Iran's controversial nuclear program, while others
consider it 'a tactical maneuver' to be able to
denounce the West as inflexible if it does not accept
the Iranian proposal."

- "Israel threatens Hamas leaders"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" reports (03/08) "In an
escalation of threats, Israel warned yesterday that it
could kill Palestinian PM-elect Ismail Haniyeh if
Hamas broke the truce with Israel by attacking the
Jewish State. The terrorist group responded by
threatening to kidnap Israelis to demand the release
of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

"... Hamas responded that Israeli Defense Minister
Shaul Mofaz' threats are 'formal and clear terrorism.'

"... These mutual threats add themselves to the
increasing signs of a crisis in the Palestinian
fragile government unleashed by the disagreement
between Hamas and Al-Fatah."

- "Evo refuses to return weapons to the US"



Conservative "La Prensa" reports (03/08) "In another
episode of the tense US-Bolivian bilateral
relationship, Bolivian President Evo Morales ordered
not to dismantle the Joint Counterterrorist Force or
return any armament to the US Pentagon. Washington
decided to suspend its military aid for the unit in
retaliation because La Paz had refused to appoint a
commander promoted by the Bush administration.

"Morales told the White House 'We reject this
blackmailing'...

"In an attempt to downplay the tone of the
disagreement, the US Embassy released a communiqu
pointing out that 'the cut in our aid (to Bolivia)
should not affect the broad range of constructive ties
between our two countries.'"

- "Argentina is reported not to condemn Cuba"

Jorge Elias, political columnist of daily-of-record
"La Nacion," writes (03/08) "Less than one week away
from the opening of the UN Human Rights Committee
sessions in Geneva, an Argentine Foreign Ministry
source told 'La Nacion' that 'nothing indicates' that
Argentina will 'change its position on Cuba,' although
'we still do not know the content of the resolution.'

"In the event President Kirchner wanted to maintain
the trend started by Eduardo Duhalde in 2003, his vote
would be an abstention one, as happened in 2004 and
2005...

"On this occasion, Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana,
former executive secretary to the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights will be for the first time
in charge of executing and justifying the presidential
decision."
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