MEDIA REACTION; T.I.P. REPORT; MIDDLE EAST;

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001162

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; T.I.P. REPORT; MIDDLE EAST;
ARGENTINE-VENEZUELAN TIES 06/13/07


1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Key international opinion pieces today include the Argentina section
in the Trafficking in Persons report issued by the Department of
State; what the U.S. and other leading countries are doing to put an
end to the current flare-up in the Middle East; and Argentine First
Lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's comments on Argentina's
economic growth and its ties to the Chavez's Venezuela.


2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS

- "Criticism of the country focused on the T.I.P."
Hugo Alconada Mon, Washington-based correspondent for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (06/13) "In the US view, Susana
Trimarco de Veron is one of the eight 'heroes who are acting to put
an end to modern slavery' all over the world. She is still looking
for her daughter, Marita, who was kidnapped five years ago by a
prostitution ring protected by politicians, police officers and
judges from Argentina's northwestern region.
"Susana Trimarco de Veron's accomplishments were acknowledged in the
'Trafficking in Persons' Report, which was issued by the US
Department of State and which criticized the work carried out by
Argentina's national and provincial governments for their lack of
willingness to put an end to the problem.
"According to the report, 'Argentina is a source, transit, and
destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the
purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor,' which
places the country on a 'watch list' along with Mexico, Egypt,
China, Libya, Russia, Cambodia, Armenia and Mozambique, among
others.
"... The (US) central point of criticism of Argentina is the delay
of its Congress in passing legislation to fight trafficking in
persons. A second-ranking USG official told 'La Nacion,' 'it is hard
to think of any legislator who could be against such legislation.'"
- "A history of mistakes"
Marcelo Cantelmi, leading "Clarin's" international editor, opines
(06/13) "One of the aspects that contributes to the current crisis
in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East is the US impetus to encourage
democracy in that region, which only seems valid as long as power is
in the hands of those blessed by the White House. And this has not
been the case.
"In January 2006, Hamas obtained a landslide election victory... The
immediate reaction was a total financial blockade imposed on all the
territories and particularly the Gaza Strip. Tension mounted in an
increasingly complex scenario... and after that the war against
Hezbollah took place, which left it with a feeling of victory that
reinforced the role of Iran's Shiite theocracy in the region...
"By the end of last year, the first clashes between Hamas and Al
Fatah occurred due to pressures for new elections in order to remove
extremist Muslims from power. A solution including a government of
unity seemed to cool down the crisis, but, again, the US, Israel and
Europe chose to reinforce the blockade, thereby blocking a political
way out that could have deprived hawks some power. The barrel [of
oil] has been lit and now the flame seems unlikely to extinguish."
- "Cristina Kirchner defends Chavez"

Luis Lauge, on special assignment in Geneva for daily-of-record "La
Nacion," writes (06/13) "... Cristina Kirchner bluntly defended both
the Kirchner administration's 'model for growth' as well as
Argentina's ties to the Hugo Chavez's Venezuela.

"During the Qs-and-As segment following her speech at the
International Labor Organization, she said 'Venezuela cannot be
absent from integration nor can we overlook (the fact) that it is
one of the largest oil producing countries in the world. As long as
(Venezuela) sticks to democracy, we should not be carried away by
phantoms.'

"... While Daniel Funes de Rioja, Chairperson of the ILO Governing
Body and Chairperson of the Employers' Group, underscored Cristina
Kirchner's professional and political background, every attendee
knew quite well that they were meeting with an almost certain
presidential candidate and, although she did not say it, she behaved
in that manner."

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

MATERA