MEDIA REACTION; ARGENTINE PRESIDENT NESTOR KIRCHNER TO

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001488 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 SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION; ARGENTINE PRESIDENT NESTOR KIRCHNER TO MEXICO; AMIA BOMBING CASE; 08/01/07 ¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT Today's major international stories are related to President Kirchner's criticism of the wall along the US-Mexican border; and the US Lower House's resolution asking Interpol to issue international warrants for the capture of Iranian and Lebanese suspects in the attack against AMIA. ¶2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS - "Alliance with Mexico" Conservative "La Prensa" editorializes (08/01) "After two years of noteworthy distance (between Mexico and Argentina),the Argentine President's visit to Mexico has shown a change that will obviously impact on the regional balance, commercial exchange and the consolidation of a strategic alliance that will be inherited by the next government to be elected in October. "The signature of a Strategic Association Agreement thus becomes the cornerstone of a diplomatic strategy for the two nations intended to redefine their role in Latin American leadership. Our country has again looked to Mexico now that it faces an energy crisis and after the significant absence of the Venezuelan President from the Mercosur summit in Paraguay. "... Mexico's integration to Mercosur is an initiative that is backed by other Mercosur members..., although Mexico's ultimate purpose not only seems to be Mercosur but some mechanism allowing for the inclusion of every Latin American trade relationship through ALADI... "Additionally, the two governments are committed to mutually supporting each other in their bids for a non permanent seat at the UN Security Council... " - "Kirchner surprisingly criticizes Washington" Mariana Veron, on special assignment in Mexico, D.F., for daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (08/01) "He surprised half of the delegation except for two persons who are in his close entourage. President Nestor Kirchner chose his visit as head of State to Mexico to harshly criticize the US. He did so yesterday morning at the Mexican Senate by calling 'an insult' the wall that is being built by the Bush administration on the US-Mexican border. "Kirchner told 40 lawmakers who applauded him on foot for his determined confrontation with US immigration policy: 'In the name of Argentina, I want to make clear that the Argentine people, myself and those accompanying me repudiate the construction of the insulting wall that is being built on the US-Mexican border... "The president urged the Bush administration to 'sincerely' reflect on this issue, because these are times of 'respect for integration.' He added 'It is not only an insult to Mexicans but to all the peoples of the world.' "... The Argentines who accompanied the President termed his empathic words towards Mexico a 'very brave and worthy gesture.' Ties between Kirchner and Bush are at a freezing point following their confrontation at the 2005 Mar del Plata Summit of the Americas over the future of the FTAA. "After this episode, Kirchner visited the US..., but had no contact whatsoever with US authorities. "The official purpose of strengthening the Argentine-Mexican relationship ever since the Argentine President arrived in this city, plus the gestures of mutual friendship between Kirchner and Calderon, was completed with the President's gesture. This was demonstrated not only by the President's blunt rejection of the fence but also by his grateful statements to Mexicans for having harbored hundreds of Argentine exiles during the latest military dictatorship." - "AMIA - the US Congress asks for the capture of Iranians" Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin," writes (08/01) "Last Monday, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution asking Interpol to carry out its March decision and issue international warrants for the capture of Iranian and Lebanese suspects in the attack against the AMIA... As expected, the Lower House's resolution again condemned the terrorist attack. "The US lawmakers' strong message... also paid homage to the victims and praised the Argentine Government for 'its efforts' to investigate the case. According to Ileana Ros-Lethinen, a Republican legislator from the State of Florida, ever since the AMIA case probe started..., evidence targeted Hezbollah and Iran, its 'sponsoring nation.'" To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires WAYNE