MEDIA REACTION US AMBASSADOR LINO GUTIERREZ'S

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000665 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 AMBASSADOR LINO GUTIERREZ'S TV INTERVIEW US-IRAN US HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT WTO SUPPORT FOR ARGENTINE SIDERCA CORPORATION IN DISPUTE WITH THE US MONEY LAUNDERING 03/21/06 ¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT Today's most important international stories include US President Bush's warning that he will use "military force" against Iran if Tehran attempts to attack Israel; the implications of the US Human Rights Report; and the WTO supporting Argentine Siderca corporation in its dispute with the US. Leading "Clarin" gives positive coverage to a TN cable TV interview with US Ambassador Lino Gutierrez, in which he said that 'The days of military coups are gone,' and emphasized that US-Argentine bilateral ties are 'excellent' in the fight against narco-trafficking and terrorism. Business-financial "El Cronista" carries a reprint of a Financial Times article headlined "Hostility toward the US hinders its global strategy." Leading "Clarin" carries a pro-US editorial highlighting Argentina's need for labeling terrorist finance as a crime, as asked for by the Financial Action Task Force. ¶2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES - The US ambassador and the military coup" Leading "Clarin" reports (03/21) "Last night, US Ambassador Lino Gutierrez said 'The days of military coups belong to the past.' "During a cable TV interview..., the US diplomat also opined that Latin American democracies have made 'good progress,' although he also underscored, without naming cases, that in some countries democratic institutions are 'weak.' "Asked for a reflection on the anniversary of March 24 (the latest Argentine military coup),Gutierrez pointed out that 'We should emphasize that during the 2001 Argentine crisis, a military coup was never an option to be considered. Both the people and the military rejected this option, which reveals that we have evolved well.' "Gutierrez recalled that in the first SOA in Miami in 1994, there was a moment of 'euphoria' because the summit gathered 34 hemispheric leaders who had been democratically elected. 'We thought then that perhaps the problem of democracy had been solved, but afterwards we realized it was not so because democratic institutions were not as strong as they should have been. The next challenge is strengthening institutions.' "'It comes down not only to holding free elections but also having 'an independent judicial power, division of powers.' He added that 'much progress has been made in this regard,' but some countries 'have weak institutions, and we should help them.' "... Regarding US-Argentine bilateral ties, Gutierrez highlighted that they are also 'excellent' regarding the fight on drug trafficking and terrorism. And he pointed out that Argentina had demonstrated its regional leadership, particularly in Bolivia and Haiti." - "Bush warns Iran that it will use force to defend Israel" Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (03/21) "Three years and one day after ordering the invasion of Iraq, US President Bush warned that he will use 'military force' against Iran if the Tehran regime attempts to attack Israel, the closest US ally in the Middle East. "... In spite of the fact that Bush's popularity ratings have been below 40% for weeks..., he launched a severe warning to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad... "... The USG faces increasing questioning, even within the G.O.P. in view of November legislative elections. "... Some heavyweight Democratic senators, such as Joseph Biden and Harry Reid, have also warned on the possible start of civil war in Iraq and have asked the White House to commit itself to the local political process in order to prevent chaos." - "The US and human rights" Daily-of-record "La Nacion" carries an opinion piece by contributor Andres Oppenheimer, who writes (03/21) "... Almost all Latin American countries questioned the US Human Rights Report, or 'shrugged their shoulders' while reading it. Most journalists and political leaders described it as a monument to US political arrogance, or a sign of hypocrisy of a country that criticizes others while torturing prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, mistreats detainees at Guantanamo, Cuba, and does not allow regular trials of many terrorist suspects. "I believe it is not a bad idea that the US drafts a report on human rights violations in other countries. On the contrary, I think it is a good idea that should be imitated by all countries... "In fact, every country should denounce human rights violations wherever they occur, but what does not make sense is criticizing others' behavior and saying nothing about one's own. "The US Department of State should have included at least one chapter on the US, which should have been drafted by an independent human rights organization. This would have made it much more credible. Chavez himself would have found it hard to discredit it." - "WTO supports Siderca in its dispute with the US" Pablo Fernandez Blanco and Martin Bidegaray, columnists of business-financial "El Cronista," write (03/21) "Argentina again asked the WTO to intervene in its dispute with the US, the country that imposes tariffs on steel tubes imports. The measure is of particular importance for Siderca, the Techint group company that has been most impaired by US tariffs. "The WTO asked for a series of requirements from the US last year. In December 2005, the US responded that it had complied with all WTO requirements. But the Argentine Foreign Ministry is not satisfied with the US compliance with WTO requirements. This is why it asked for a new panel of discussion. "Last Friday, during the meeting of the Dispute Settlement Department, a new body... was established that will have to decide whether the US effectively honored its duties with the WTO in carrying out its previous ruling." ¶3. EDITORIALS - "The struggle against money laundering" An editorial in leading "Clarin" reads (03/21) "Money laundering is located at the heart of multiple and serious crimes and corruption cases. This is why it is necessary to agree upon measures among the States to increase the efficacy of law enforcement. "A few days ago, during a seminar on Economic Crimes organized by Fundacion Noble..., Barry Rider, law expert from the University of Harvard and former director of the Commonwealth Unit against Economic Crimes, said that money laundering accounts for some 200 billion dollars per year and that this money often ends up in developed countries. He also pointed out that the US-sponsored anti-money laundering measures set forth in the so-called Patriot Act did not have the expected success. "Our country has shortfalls that should be corrected... "While new guidelines are expected to lift banking and fiscal secret..., authorities should analyze the need for labeling terrorist financing as a crime - a major issue in the current international scenario that has been asked for the Financial Action Task Force." 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. LLORENS