AMBASSADOR WAYNE PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000122

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFPD PGOV PREL AR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR WAYNE PRESENTS CREDENTIALS


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED (NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION)


1. (SBU) On Friday, January 19, Ambassador presented his credentials
to Argentine Vice President Scioli in the Casa Rosada. A twenty
minute discussion with the Vice President was focused on trade and
investment, exchanges, and the shifting political landscape in Latin
America. Highlights of the discussion included:


2. (SBU) U.S. - Argentine Relations: Scioli said he was positively
impressed by the recent activism of the U.S. embassy. The
Ambassador said that he had been warmly received by ministers and by
the private sector in Argentina and that he found a great deal of
enthusiasm for building cooperation and pursuing new opportunities
between Argentina and the U.S. Scioli agreed that there were many
opportunities and cited tourism and high tech as two areas of growth
in U.S.-Argentine relations, which he thought should continue to
expand in the future.


3. (SBU) Meeting with Secretary Gutierrez: Scioli said he had
enjoyed his conversation with Commerce Secretary Gutierrez at the
presidential inauguration in Quito. He said he felt Secretary
Gutierrez was a friend of Latin America and of Argentina. Scioli
said he was very interested in the Atlanta Competitiveness Forum,
which the Secretary will be hosting in June. The Ambassador
reiterated the goals and objectives of the Forum and underscored
U.S. interest in having a good Argentine team there and in producing
good results which can help the hemisphere compete well with other
high performing regions.


4. (SBU) Trade: Scioli said that he hoped that the U.S. would be
creative in supporting increased trade and investment in the region,
not being overly wedded to the FTAA format, especially given the
many democracies in the region. The Ambassador said the U.S. wanted
to expand trade and investment in the region and globally. He
briefed the VP on ongoing efforts to make progress in the WTO round
as well as the upcoming visit to Argentina and the region by Deputy
USTR Veroneau.


5. (SBU) Democracy: Ambassador argued that support for democracy
was very important in the region at this time and that Argentina's
position as a well-functioning democracy had become more important.
In this sense, Argentina and Brazil can play an important role in
the region in fostering democracy as well as supporting pragmatic
policies. Scioli agreed that the strategic situation offered
Argentina increased opportunities to play a positive role in its
neighborhood.


6. (SBU) Exchanges: The Ambassador also stressed the importance of
increasing people to people exchanges and work with youth and
education. Scioli agreed heartily and argued for including sports
exchanges as a key part of youth outreach.


7. (SBU) Local Politics: Ambassador asked Scioli about his
emerging campaign for governor of Buenos Aires province. The Vice
President said he was enjoying himself and believed that his earlier
experience as provincial secretary for tourism and sports gave him a
good knowledge of the province and its needs. He said he felt that
he could do a great deal to help attract new business to the
province as well as to strengthen its educational and physical
infrastructure.


8. (SBU) Comment: Citing a GOA source, the press reported that
Ambassador had talked about "the positive influence in the region of
the leadership" of President Kirchner. The Ambassador only talked
about the positive influence which Argentina could have in the
region.

WAYNE