MEDIA REACTION; STATUS OF BILATERAL RELATIONS FOLLOWING KEY

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000381 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; STATUS OF BILATERAL RELATIONS FOLLOWING KEY USG VISITS, 02/15/07; BUENOS AIRES ¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT Daily-of-record "La Nacion" comments positively on the present status of U.S.-Argentina relations following the visits of AG Gonzales, U/S Burns and A/S Shannon, despite differences on Cuba and Venezuela, and praises Ambassador Wayne for his key contribution to strengthening these ties. ¶2. EDITORIALS - "Relations With the U.S." An editorial in daily-of-record "La Nacion" reads (02/15) "After the coldness in U.S.-Argentina relations following the Mar del Plata Summit, three key USG officials arrived in Buenos Aires last week as part of a bilateral effort to strengthen ties. In any case, there is still a long way to go before we can mend past injuries, which Bush's tour to the region sidestepping Argentina clearly points out. ".... (Despite agreement onmany topics, such as Iran) there were differences regarding Cuba and Venezuela (though the later was the issue where the two sides disagreed most.) "According to the U.S., the challenges that both administrations must face in the future are: climate change, trafficking in women and children, drug-trafficking and terrorism, particularly the fight against nuclear proliferation and biological weapons. "Another key factor that contributed to strengthening bilateral relations was the task performed by Ambassador Wayne...since he arrived in Argentina three and-a-half months ago. Wayne, an experienced and influential diplomat, displayed an intense activity, reflected in his numerous meetings with GOA officials, with whom he discussed local U.S. investment, particularly in the energy sector, corporate social responsibility and education. "Both administrations have clearly indicated their intention to improve bilateral dialogue and seek new areas of cooperation between the two countries... But sometimes there's the impression that relations move on two different tracks: silent but fruitful diplomacy, on one hand, or public confrontation, on the other. ".... It's time for maturity and predictability to prevail... as the outstanding characteristics in a relationship which, despite differences on certain issues, must build up on those points where there's agreement, as is the case with every serious and smooth relationship." To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires WAYNE