Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUENOSAIRES850
2006-04-13 18:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION IRAN US-PERUVIAN FTA US

Tags:  KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL MEDIA REACTION 
pdf how-to read a cable
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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0850/01 1031853
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131853Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4160
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000850 

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 IRAN US-PERUVIAN FTA US
SPEAKER DAVID PALMER 04/13/06

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000850

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 IRAN US-PERUVIAN FTA US
SPEAKER DAVID PALMER 04/13/06


1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Today's most important international stories include
the USG asking for "tough measures" against Iran,
which has announced plans to obtain industrial-scale
enriched uranium; and the signature of an FTA between
the US and Peru despite Humala's opposition.
Conservative "La Prensa" carries an interview with US
speaker David Palmer, professor of International
Relations at the University of Boston, Massachusetts.


2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "Increasing alarm due to Irania nuclear plan"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" (04/13) reports "One day
after having announced that it started to manufacture
enriched uranium, Iran took one more step and said it
is determined to make progress on the manufacture of
industrial-scale enriched uranium...

"The Iranian statement drew the condemnation of the
international community and increased the high degree
of world alarm unleashed by the controversial Iranian
nuclear plan. Tehran asserted that its initiative has
peaceful purposes and it is only trying to supply
local nuclear facilities with energy, but the US and
the EU believe that this is only a 'mask' to proceed
with the manufacture of WMD.

"... US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged the
UN Security Council to take 'strong measures' against
Tehran. She added 'The time for action has come.'"

- "Washington asks the UN to implement tough measures
against Iran"

Conservative "La Prensa" reports (04/13) "One day
after the Iranian regime announced it obtained
enriched uranium, the US asked the UN to implement
'strong measures' against Iran, which could include
diplomatic sanctions.

"US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the
Iranian statement that the country successfully
completed the production cycle for nuclear energy has
proven that the international community's requisites
remain ignored and this warrants a response from the
UN Security Council.

"The USG official clarified that 'what is at issue is
not Iran's right to civil nuclear power' but
international opinion that the country should not have
either the capability or the technology required to

manufacture nuclear weapons.

"The UK Government also expressed its 'serious
concern' about the Iranian announcement, 'which is
contrary to the International Atomic Energy Agency's
requirements.'"

- "Toledo signs an FTA with the US"

Conservative "La Prensa" reports (04/13) "Yesterday,
the US and Peru signed an FTA, which both governments
say will lead to increasing prosperity for the two
countries.

"Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo witnessed the
signature of an FTA at the OAS between USTR Rob
Portman and Peruvian Trade Minister Alfredo Ferrero
Diez Canseco.

"During a press conference, Toledo said 'The only
thing I, as an economist, can say is that the
(US/Peruvian) FTA will lead to the creation of more
jobs.'

"... Toledo added that he is 'realistically
optimistic' that the Peruvian Congress will ratify the
treaty before the end of his term in office, July 8."

- "Toledo signs an FTA with the US and Humala
complains about it"

Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading
"Clarin," writes (04/13) "Amid a complicated election


process, Peru signed yesterday an FTA with the US,
even though Ollanta Humala, the winner of the first
round of presidential elections..., said he is totally
against it.

"... After having signed the deal, Toledo said 'This
is a historic milestone,' and he added 'Without this
treaty, the next president will not be able to fulfill
his election promises' to create jobs for the poor.

"... Ollanta Humala urged Toledo not to sign the
treaty up until the last minute... His party, Union
por el Peru (UPP),stated that if the treaty is signed
and Humala wins runoff elections, he will call a
referendum.

"According to the UPP coordinator of the economic
committee, Felix Jimenez, the FTA 'affects (Peruvian)
national sovereignty' and was negotiated 'without the
people's support.'"

- "Toledo's bequest, an FTA with the US, which Humala
questions and Garcia not so much"

Carlos Noriega, on special assignment in Lima for left-
of-center "Pagina 12," writes (04/13) "One day after
the overwhelming election defeat last Sunday, in which
his political party did not obtain one single
representative for Congress, President Alejandro
Toledo speeded up the signature of an FTA with the US.
His legacy threatens to turn into a point of political
and social contention for the next president. Toledo
had to travel to Washington in order to sign a
controversial FTA at the OAS headquarters. Ollanta
Humala, the winner of the first round in Peruvian
elections, said he disagrees with this treaty and he
also added that if he takes over, he will use 'all
constitutional means' to review this trade deal. One
of the ways would be to call a referendum so that the
people can decide whether to approve or reject the
treaty."

- "A Boston expert believes the '90s model still
prevails"

Agustin de Beitia, international columnist of
conservative "La Prensa," writes (04/13) "The reforms
of the '90s were positive for entire Latin America
because they strengthened trade and reduced poverty,
and there is no government in the region that has
changed that model, not even Argentina's Nestor
Kirchner. This remark, which challenges the current
trend in the discussion, was made by US academic David
Palmer, professor of International Relations at the
University of Boston, Massachusetts, and consultant to
the US Department of State.

"During a press meeting at the US Embassy in Buenos
Aires, Palmer sustained in perfect Spanish that the
tilt to the left that is being observed in Venezuela,
Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, and
'soon in Mexico,' is rhetorical rather than
practical."

To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires

LLORENS