MEDIA REACTION; IRAN; FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS; THE TWO

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002017 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; IRAN; FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS; THE TWO KOREAS; 10/10/07 ¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT Major international stories today include implications of French FM Kouchner's remarks on the Iranian threat; US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice supporting free trade deals; and the "historic" reconciliation between the two Koreas. ¶2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS - "Warnings to Iran" Daily-of-record "La Nacisn" (10/10) editorializes "French FM Bernard Kouchner has clearly and seriously explained the international community's current concerns over Iran. Kouchner has said that the Tehran regime is on the verge of obtaining uranium enrichment and that this implies a military issue - the possibility of owning nuclear weapons. "... it is understandable, then, that the Iranian government is increasingly urged to stop its race toward developing nuclear power. It is also understandable that Iran's statement that it is only pursuing peaceful nuclear development raises suspicion... "The urgent nature of the issue is evident from the French FM's urging that the EU 27 member countries quickly impose new sanctions on Iran... "... US General David Petraeus, Commander in Iraq, has denounced that Iran is attempting to establish some sort of 'Hezbollah' in the Iraqi conflict. "Under these conditions, one can understand the importance of the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana's remarks to the countries of our region that Iran could hardly be included among 'the best relationships for Latin America,' in clear reference to Bolivia and Venezuela..., Nicaragua..., and perhaps Ecuador... "It is opportune to insist on our endorsement of President Nstor Kirchner's address to the UN General Assembly when he denounced Iran's lack of cooperation in the AMIA case probe... "We also take note of the Iranian Ambassador to the UN's statements labeling the Argentine request as a sign of 'the great corruption in the Argentine judicial system' and the 'poisoned' influence of anti-Iran propaganda by the US and Zionism. However, we take it as an ugly reminder of the close follow-up that Argentine diplomacy should undertake regarding a regime that is willing to export terrorism and make the State of Israel 'disappear.' "Argentina has been committed to the existence of Israel since it was founded in 1948. It has always maintained a close relationship... Therefore, it would be positive to take FM Kouchner's remarks on Iran as a warning that involves us more than we think." - "Rice asks Democrats to approve free trade deals in the region" Ana Barsn, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarn," writes (10/10) "Consistent with the Bush administration's only focus on the hemisphere, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended yesterday FTAs with Colombia, Peru and Panama. She said that the failure of the Democratic majority to pass the three Latin American trade deals would be a tremendous blow to US efforts in the region - 'It would be a retreat from our responsibility of leadership and a renunciation of our influence in the Americas.' She added that defeat of the measures on Capitol Hill would feed the 'enemies of democracy,' in reference to Hugo Chvez... "Rice dismissed the 'turn to the left, about which we hear so much.' In Rice's view, the true 'real revolution' in America is that led by 'responsible democratic leaders,' such as Michelle Bachelet, Lula da Silva, Tabar Vzquez, Alvaro Uribe, Alan Garca, Felipe Caldersn and Salvadorian Elas Antonio Saca. Rice did not include President Nstor Kirchner among the leaders she mentioned, which is a sign of the mistrust Kirchner still raises in Washington... "... According to Congressional sources consulted by 'Clarn,' free trade deals with Peru and Panama will very likely be approved, while the trade deal with Colombia prompts more opposition. Democrats blame the Uribe administration on the deteriorated human rights situation and lack of protection of trade unionists. "... Rice's speech clarified the US hemispheric trade strategy. She recalled that the US has signed FTAs with ten Latin American countries so far. All of this plus last weekend's popular consultation in Costa Rica 'could pave the way for an indissoluble range of trading partners from Tierra del Fuego to the Artic circle.' Rice did not mention Mercosur, the toughest trade bloc to deal with. An FTAA without Mercosur will hardly be established unless the US manages to make (Mercosur) implode, and the desire exists." - "The historic deal between the two Koreas" An editorial in leading "Clarn" (10/10) "The peace accord between the two Koreas has started to close one of the few remaining Cold-War confrontations, it has deactivated war escalation in the extreme East and fuels hopes of integration among the dynamic economies of the main Asian countries. In this case, diplomacy, economy and culture prevailed over the strategic dogmas of regional and global confrontation, aggressive nationalism and nuclear threat... "For all these reasons, the accord reached between the leaders of both countries, Roh Moo Hyun and Kim Jong Il, is a historic milestone - they committed themselves to 'permanent peace' instead of the 1953 armistice and to starting a cooperative relationship. Over fifty years ago, the main world powers waged their greatest confrontation in the area. The division of Korea and the enclosure of North Korea were two consequences of war that are still a burden for the international community." To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires WAYNE