MEDIA REACTION US CHIEF OF STAFF ANDREW CARD

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000737 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 CHIEF OF STAFF ANDREW CARD REPLACEMENT ISRAELI ELECTIONS ARGENTINE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LEGISLATION 03/29/06 ¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT Today's major international stories include US President Bush announcing the resignation of his chief of staff and his replacement with budget director Joshua Bolten; acting PM Ehud Olmert declaring victory in Israeli elections and their impact on the Middle East conflict; Argentine House of Representatives passing an amendment to the country's anti-money laundering legislation; and more than one million demonstrators pouring onto France's streets in the largest nationwide protest so far against a new labor law. Business-financial "El Cronista" carries a "Financial Times" reprint of an opinion piece by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright highlighting SIPDIS that "Common sense indicates that Washington should not support a change of regime in Iran because nothing favors a radical government more than open US antagonism." ¶2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES - "Bush's chief of staff is replaced" Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for daily-of-record "La Nacion," comments (03/29) "US President George W. Bush announced the resignation of an influential member of his administration during his second term in office. "Chief of Staff Andrew Card will be replaced by Budget Director Joshua Bolten. Analysts expect this will be the beginning of an expected overhaul at the White House. "... Last week, Bush said 'We have been an extraordinarily stable administration, and I think this is good for a nation' even when, according to all opinion polls, his popularity ratings are at their historically lowest point." - "The message" Paula Lugones, international columnist of leading "Clarin," writes (03/29) "The message seems to have been clear in Israel. Most people voted in favor of a solution to the conflict with the Palestinians, which suggests Israel's partial withdrawal from the West Bank and the creation of a Palestinian State. "It will likely be a unilateral Israeli solution that will not suit its neighbors, particularly now that Hamas is in power. However, both Kadima and the Labor Party have proposed to take steps to set limits on a region that no longer tolerates violence. "For their part, Israelis will insist on a social program from their next administration. This is why, Laborites, who focused on eradicating poverty during their campaign, will have an unexpected number of seats..." - "A new era marked by unilateralism" Elisabetta Pique, on special assignment in Jerusalem, comments (03/29) "If confirmed, yesterday's elections could mean the Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and unilateralism as a method to face the eternal conflict with its Palestinian neighbors, plus a tired, divided and confused society that no longer believes in peace and much less in political leaders. "Many analysts believe that yesterday's elections have marked the beginning of a new era for Israel, and that it will be full of riddles and complex challenges, as usual. "... Hamas has warned that it considers unacceptable the Israeli plan of unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank, and that it would not represent a victory for the Palestinians but just the opposite. "In this framework, unilateralism, considered by Israelis to be an obvious solution for a permanent conflict and for their own security problems, could worsen an already complex situation and become a time bomb. Bearing in mind all this, the role to be played by the international community, and particularly by the US, will be crucial." - "Anti-money laundering legislation, requested by the US, is passed" Armando Vidal, columnist of leading "Clarin," writes (03/29) "The (Argentine) House of Representatives could pass a partial amendment to the country's anti- money laundering legislation. The US has insisted on providing this legislation with greater rigor in order to prevent international terrorist financing. "The congressional steps in the amendment will likely be accelerated due to the arrival of Egyptian Kader Asmal, head of the Financial Action Task Force. "... Other amendments are still pending approval. One is the labeling of terrorist financing and related money laundering as crimes." 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