MEDIA REACTION; MIDDLE EAST SUMMIT, DPRK NUCLEAR PROGRAM,

1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Top stories focus on the poor results of the summit between
Secretary Rice and Middle East leaders Olmert and Abbas; the

SIPDIS
positive repercussions of North Korea's agreement to deactivate its
nuclear program; the mounting tension in Iran due to its intention
to continue with its nuclear program and the crisis in the Uribe
administration following the resignation of his Foreign Minister for
her brother's alleged dealings with the paramilitary.



2. OPINION PIECES AND KEY STORIES

- "Meeting With Only Vague Promises"

Oscar Raul Cardoso, leading "Clarin" international columnist, opines
(02/20) "There isn't much to show after the Jerusalem summit - the
first negotiation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in six years -
between PM Olmert, President Abbas and Secretary Rice. Only a vague
promise, without a date, that the participants will repeat the
meeting.

"This shows the extent to which the recent agreement between Al
Fattah and Hamas to build a unity government for the Palestinian
State is becoming an obstacle for the recovery of the peace process,
instead of promoting it, even though violence between Palestinians
has diminished in Gaza and the West Bank.

"Truly, it was impossible to foresee major progress in this
opportunity given that the next Palestinian government wasn't going
to include any acknowledgement for the State of Israel, as Abbas
promoted. There was only a feeble promise to 'respect' previous
agreements between the Palestinian State and Jerusalem.

"Why meet then, given the narrow margin for maneuvering? First,
because politically, the three parties needed to produce sensible
results. Olmert and Rice are ranked low in opinion polls at home and
the Jewish image suffered in the U.S. after last year's sterile and
brutal incursion into Lebanon.

"For his part, Abbas had to compromise with Hamas, against his will,
and was highly criticized. He needed an official Israeli gesture to
show he's still an accepted interlocutor, despite his recent
agreement with Hamas. This is, perhaps, the only more or less
visible result obtained by one of the three at this meeting...."

- "Iran Pursues its Uranium and Tension Mounts in the Persian Gulf"

Leftist "Pagina 12" says (02/19) "Tension keeps mounting in the
Persian Gulf. Amid White House rhetorical attacks against Iran for
its alleged responsibility in Iraq's crisis, and only three days
away from the UN deadline to stop its nuclear program, Tehran
decided to raise its bet. It ruled out any suspension of its uranium
enrichment process, accused the U.S. of promoting regional
instability and shows the world the power of its military elite in
new exercises that will include over 60,000 men.

".... This is not the first time that the Guardians carry out this
kind of drill... However, today's exercise has a new meaning for the
international community, given that Tehran might suffer the
sanctions approved by the UNSC last December.

"....Iran appears more cornered by the U.S. and most of the
international community. This is why it intends to add regional
forces from other Islamic countries... But Ahmadinejad hasn't been
too successful so far. The only one who replied to his request was
his main ally, Syrian President Bashar al Assad."

- "Stigma"

Marcelo Cantelmi, leading "Clarin" international editor, opines
(02/20) "The timing of this crisis for President Uribe is horrible
on the eve of the Bush visit, given that the U.S. President is the
Colombian leader's unconditional supporter. The Democrats that
turned the chief of the White House into an isolated leader with
very little of his old power, now warn that they are carefully
keeping an eye on the Colombian government's 'paramilitary' crisis.
The gist of the problem, which opens the door to unforeseeable
perspectives for Uribe, is that the paramilitary are not only that
which they admit -- fighters without rules against the guerrillas
--. They're also and almost essentially, drug-traffickers. It's easy
to suggest, then, the effects this stigma will have among Uribe's
local allies, particularly the U.S."



3. EDITORIALS

- "Diplomatic Achievement and Nuclear Risk"

An editorial in leading "Clarin" reads (02/19) ".... In an
international scenario rocked by wars and threats, Beijing's recent
agreement on North Korea's denuclearization is paramount. North
Korea's regime promises to deactivate its nuclear development
program, close down its main reactor and allow IAEA inspections. In
exchange, it will obtain energy assistance, the lifting of economic
sanctions and a new deal with the U.S. Thanks to this, the level of
threat represented by North Korea in the region is reduced.

"This puts an end to an escalation of tension that had led to
international concern when North Korea's Communist regime announced
its nuclear tests and the USG threatened toughest retaliation
measures. In this case, six-party talks prevailed...."

- "Good News for World Peace"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" says (02/19) ".... The agreement was
reached thanks to a strategic mistake incurred by North Korea in
October, last year, when it detonated its first atomic bomb as part
if its nuclear tests. This sparked the reaction of China - which had
supported the North Korean dynasty for six decades -. It cut off its
military aid, opening the door to U.S. financial sanctions.

".... The agreement is good news for world peace, because one can
dream that one of the two most important crises in terms of peace
and international security is now about to be solved (the second one
being Iran). But North Korea's conduct will continue to be reason
for concern because its unpredictable arrogance has, in the past,
frustrated other similar solutions."

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