MEDIA REACTION UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL US-

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000623

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 UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL US-
MERCOSUR TIES 03/16/06


1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Today's major local newspapers lead with the creation
of the UN Human Rights Council to replace "the
discredited UN Human Rights Commission." Based on an
article from the New York "Forward" magazine, business-
financial, center-right "InfoBae's" Website reports
that "The Bush administration asked Argentina to
formally file charges against the Iranian government
officials linked to the attack against AMIA
headquarters in Buenos Aires, as part of the USG's
strategy to isolate the country, whose nuclear
activity raised concern in the West."


2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "Human Rights Council, a retreat for the US"

Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," comments (03/16) "With
the US and Israel's isolated opposition and the
support of Argentina and other 169 countries, the UN
approved yesterday the creation of the Human Rights
Council, which will replace the discredited Geneva-
based Committee.

"Promoters of the reform expect the Council to be more
efficient in the defense of human rights in some of
the most violent countries, such as Sudan and Myanmar,
to protect the victims and help prevent or reverse
human rights violations.

"Even Cuba voted in favor of the new Council, and
three countries (Venezuela, Iran and Belarus)
abstained.

"Only the Marshall islands and Palau joined Israel and
the White House in voting against the creation of the
Council. The White House believes the reform will not
prevent major human rights abusers from joining the
Council and hindering voting, as happened at the UN
Human Rights Committee.

"... While the US voted in favor of keeping a widely
criticized Committee, although with well-known
shortfalls, Argentina, Canada, the EU and the main
human rights institutions, among others, supported the
reform and are confident that the Human Rights Council
will be more satisfactory."

- "Chacho Alvarez asks for more integration vis--vis
the 'hegemonic power'"

Natasha Niebieskikwiat, columnist of leading "Clarin,"
writes (03/16) "The head of the Mercosur
Representatives Committee, Carlos 'Chacho' Alvarez,
surprised the parsimonious protocol ceremony of the
15th anniversary of Mercosur with a conclusive call
'to defend the strategic sense of regional
integration.' He said that in order to face the
'hegemonic power's' strong presence, it is crucial
that the countries 'act in blocs.'

"... Alvarez' call sounded like a warning due to the
increasingly explicit US 'flirting' with Uruguay and
Paraguay to persuade them to sign individual free
trade deals."



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