MEDIA REACTION US NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000628

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 US NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY
REPORT IRAN IRAQ IRAN-LATIN AMERICAN TIES DEATH OF
MILOSEVIC AND THE ICC ARGENTINE DECORATION FOR FORMER
HUMAN RIGHTS A/S PATRICIA DERIAN 03/17/06



1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Today's most important international stories include
the US Operation Swarmer, its largest air assault
against Baghdad; the US National Security Strategy
Report, in which US President George W. Bush
reaffirmed his strike-first policy against terrorists
and enemy nations and termed Venezuelan President
Chavez as "a demagogue and destabilizing influence;"
the US foreign policy on Iraq on the third anniversary
of the invasion of the country; Iran's alleged
interest in Latin American countries to find a way out
of a possible UN embargo; the Argentine Government's
decoration for former Human Rights Assistant Secretary
Patricia Derian for her work in Argentina during the
Carter administration; and the International Criminal
Court's unfinished trial of former Serbian dictator
Milosevic.


2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "Bush told the US Congress that he plans an attack
against Iran"

Leading "Clarin" reports (03/17) "Yesterday, US
President George W. Bush acknowledged in his National
Security Strategy report (which was submitted to the
US Congress) that his government is analyzing the
possibility of a military attack against Iran. The
White House leader's message is an updated version of
his 2002 'pre-emptive attack' policy, whereby
Washington believes it has the right to strike first
against enemy countries. The first country on the list
(of enemy countries) after the invasion of Iraq is the
ayatollahs' regime.

"In its 42-page report, the White House also mentions
Cuba and Venezuela."

- "Tehran now observes Latin America with interest"

Gustavo Sierra, on special assignment in Tehran for
leading "Clarin," comments (03/17) "Iran is looking to
Latin America in finding a way out in the event the UN
imposes an embargo on it as a consequence of its
confrontation with the US over its independent nuclear
development plan. Iran is particularly interested in
getting closer to its main interlocutor in the region,
the Venezuela of Hugo Chavez.

"But it is not only Caracas. There are the other
leftist governments, which are confronted with the US
while in tune with the Iranian theocracy. When the
International Atomic Energy Agency 35 members voted in
Vienna on the transfer of the Iranian case to the UN
Security Council, Iran only had three votes in its
favor - that of Syria, a predictable ally in the
region, Venezuela and Cuba.

"Iran also approached Bolivia since Evo Morales took
over, who proposed a trilateral strategic alliance
with Venezuela. Brazil has 'normal' relations with
Iran.

"Argentina's ties with Iran have been frozen for 12
years since the attack against the AMIA headquarters."

- "Bush confirms pre-emptive wars"

Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," comments (03/17) "Four
years and a half after the September 11 attacks, US
President George W. Bush confirmed in his National
Security Strategy Report his questioned pre-emptive
policy, which is aimed at protecting US security, and
he said Iran may pose the 'biggest challenge' for the
US these days.

"... Bush also reasserted that the US plays a leading
role in 'setting a model for the world' and preventing
(by hitting first) terrorist groups or countries
having WMD from attacking the US.

"However, and in contrast to a previous version of the
document, this time the White House underscored its



'strong preference' of multilateral international
diplomacy to face these threats, although with a blunt
limit - 'If necessary, under the longstanding
principles of self defense, we do not rule out the use
of force before attacks against the US occur, even if
uncertainty remains as to the time and place of the
enemy's attack."

- "When retreat is not an option"

Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," highlights (03/17)
"Questioned by the leaders of other powers and with
the GOP close to rebellion, with increasing financial
restrictions, with Iraq flirting with civil war and
without sound resources to launch a war on Iran, US
President George W. Bush reaffirmed yesterday a policy
that will pass into history with his name - the US
strike-first policy.

"... Neo-conservatives sustain that the US has
unparalleled political, war and economic power and
that it should use this power in pursuing its moral
objectives, such as the promotion of democracy and the
control of foreign threats.

"Secondly, neo-conservatives are deeply skeptical
about the efficacy of multilateral institutions (first
and foremost, the UN) and international law in dealing
with 'tyrants' like Saddam Hussein, Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad or North-Korean Kim Jong Il, or the
conflict between Palestinians and Israelis."

- "Disheartened"

Alejandra Pataro, international columnist of leading
"Clarn," writes (03/17) "Almost three years have
passed since the invasion of Iraq, and today war is
nothing but a 'stone lifejacket' for the Bush
administration during an election year.

"The US president barely has 36% of support. The
occupation stopped being an element to seduce the US
electorate, which in 2003 unconditionally applauded
the military adventure. Today, with 2,300 soldiers
killed, the story has changed.

"Bush travels around the US repeating a discourse
related to his victorious strategy in Iraq in order to
reverse his unpopular ratings. Words are not enough
for him. Yesterday's cinematographic military
offensive with helicopters (along the lines of
'Apocalypse Now') perhaps is aimed at cheering the US
people up."

- "US terms Chavez a 'demagogue' and a 'destabilizing
influence'"

Business-financial "Ambito Financiero" (03/17)
"According to a White House report (National Security
Strategy report),Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is
'a demagogue' that uses oil money to undermine
democracy in Latin America. The report also denounced
populism in the region, accused Cuban dictator Fidel
Castro of 'subverting regional freedom,' and pointed
to Iran as the US's major current challenge.

"... The document also warned on the danger posed by
the increasing populism in the region and called to
act in order to prevent its progress.

"... While the document hails the FTAs negotiated with
several countries of the region..., most of its text
is devoted to Iraq and Afghanistan and to defending
the 'pre-emptive' attacks policy against those
countries threatening the US. In this regard, it
considers Iran its most important challenge."

- "Former US Assistant Secretary for Human Rights
receives a decoration"

Maria Luisa Mac Kay, columnist of leading "Clarin,"
writes (03/17) "On March 24, the Argentine Government
will decorate Patricia Derian, former US Assistant
Secretary for Human Rights during the Carter

SIPDIS



administration.

"... During the three visits Derian made to Argentina
in 1977, she met with Videla, Massera, Harguindeguy
and received more than 5,000 denunciations.

"... The decoration will be presented to Derian by
Argentine Consul to New York Hector Timerman, who
organized a ceremony in the framework of a long list
of ceremonies that the Argentine Government is
organizing all over the world."


3. EDITORIALS

- "Former dictator Milosevic's death"

Leading "Clarin" editorializes (03/17) "Slobodan
Milosevic, former Serbian dictator, died in prison
just a few months away from the end of his trial at
the International Criminal Court.

"... 66 charges of genocide and crime against humanity
were filed against him. Milosevic started to be judged
in 2002... The international community established a
court to judge the crimes committed in former
Yugoslavia... whose work was expected to end next
year. Milosevic's death has not cured the old wounds,
which are still painfully open in the Balkans."

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