MEDIA REACTION USG TRIES MAIN COLOMBIAN

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000688

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 USG TRIES MAIN COLOMBIAN
GUERRILLAS US-BOLIVIAN TIES US MONITORING TRI-BORDER
PRESIDENT EVO MORALES AND COCA ARGENTINE WATER SERVICE
RE-NATIONALIZATION 03/23/06



1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Today's papers lead with the Basque separatist group
ETA declaring a permanent ceasefire after almost four
decades of attacks in Spain; Bolivian President Evo
Morales blaming the USG for two criminal assaults
launched against La Paz; the US Embassy in Sao Paulo's
statement that agents of the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security will arrive in Brazil, Argentina and
Paraguay to help local authorities combat money
laundering and other financial crimes such as
terrorism financing; Chilean President Michelle
Bachelet winding up an official visit to Argentina
with a call for stronger integration between Argentina
and Chile; and the implications of Argentina's re-
nationalization of its water service.


2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "Two criminal assaults launched against La Paz -
Morales blames Washington"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" reports (03/23) "Two
powerful explosions burst out in two La Paz hotels
leaving two dead and at least seven wounded.

"Shortly after, a US citizen was arrested as the main
suspect, and after that, President Evo Morales blamed
the USG for the attacks.

"... President Morales blamed the USG for inducing
these attacks. Ever since the indigenous leader took
power, Washington and La Paz have maintained a tense
relationship.

"Morales said 'There is a fight on terrorism going on,
and the USG sent us American citizens to do terrorism
in Bolivia.'"

- "The US judges the main Colombian guerrillas"

Conservative "La Prensa" reports (03/23) "The US
Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against 50 FARC
guerrillas and their leaders, and charged them with
cocaine traffic for 25 billion dollars with the
purpose of funding terrorist operations. This is the
most important case against narco-trafficking in US
history. Washington has also asked for the extradition
of rebels and offered up to 75 million dollars for
their capture.

"... According to the documents of the US Department
of Justice, FARC leaders ordered the elimination of
Colombian farmers who do not cooperate in kidnapping
and murdering US citizens, as well as shooting down US
airplanes that fumigated coca plantations."

- "Bush will send agents to monitor the Tri-Border"

Conservative "La Prensa" reports (03/23) "Agents of
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will soon
start arriving in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay to
help local authorities combat money laundering and
terrorism financing.

"An unspecified number of agents from Homeland
Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency
are due to arrive in Brazil within 60 days, and in
neighboring Argentina and Paraguay a few weeks later.

"The US Embassy in Brazil said that, working with
local law enforcement and customs officials, they will
set up 'trade transparency units' to investigate and
prosecute money laundering-related crimes. Those
units, for which Washington allotted 2.5 billion
dollars, 'will also focus on alternative remittance
systems, terrorist financing, contraband smuggling,
tax evasion and other crimes.'"


3. EDITORIALS

- "Evo Morales and coca"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" editorializes (03/23) "The
fight on drug-trafficking will never be efficient



enough without a tight control on the crops from which
illegal drugs come and a strong political willingness
of the governments to prevent clandestine plantations.

"... Bolivian authorities will insist on eliminating
coca from the list of banned substances...

"The production of illegal coca notably has increased
in Bolivia in recent years... not precisely due to an
increase in its traditional consumption but due to the
stimulus of high prices paid for it with the purpose
of producing cocaine...

"For these reasons, President Morales faces a big
challenge - performing a coordinated and committed
action with coca growers to establish an effective
control of non-authorized plantations. This is why, a
clear political commitment of Bolivian authorities
will be indispensable. Without it, it will not be
feasible to reach the 'zero cocaine and drug
trafficking' goal, which was precisely one of the
promises made by the current Bolivian president during
his election campaign."

- "The riddles of re-nationalization"

An editorial in leading "Clarin" reads (03/23) "The
water service re-nationalization is the ending of a
long and complex conflict that raises more doubts than
certainties.

"... One of those riddles is how the Government will
seek a way out of the case that the former
concessionaire filed at the International Center for
the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID),which,
if unfavorable, will be highly costly for the State.
Another doubt is what impact this new cancellation of
an agreement and progress on economic nationalization
will have on foreign investors and governments. Also,
another doubt is whether the government will follow
suit with other privatized services."

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