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