IRAQ; US PENTAGON AND LATIN AMERICA; THE US FOREIGN POLICY;

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000068

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: IRAQ; US PENTAGON AND LATIN AMERICA; THE US FOREIGN POLICY;
CHAVEZ; BOLIVIA; 01/16/07



1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Weekend papers carry opinion pieces on USG policy on Iraq; the
relationship between the Pentagon and Latin America; current US
foreign policy; Venezuelan President Chavez's announced
transformation of his country; and problems in Bolivia.


2. OPINION PIECES

- "Bush said he will send more troops to Iraq even when Capitol Hill
is against it"

Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin,"
writes (01/14) "While the US Congress has clearly stated that it is
against sending more troops to Iraq, President Bush is determined to
send 21,000 additional US troops to Iraq anyway. In an interview
that will be aired today on CBS '60 minutes' program, Bush will say
he is aware that both Democratic and some Republican legislators
will attempt to obstruct his plan, but that he has 'the authority'
and that 'the decision has already been made.'

"... A defiant Bush said yesterday that those opposing his plan
should submit an alternative plan 'with greater possibilities of
success.' According to Bush, 'opposing everything without proposing
anything is irresponsible.'

"As a matter of fact, it is true that Democrats have no alternative
plan with consensus. They have not even managed to come to terms on
what to do with Bush's proposal."

- "You have it right"

Santiago O'Donnell, international columnist of left-of-center
"Pagina 12" writes (01/14) "... The plan is so good, but let's be
honest - it does not guarantee success, although Bush may say the
opposite. What it does guarantee is that his successor, surely a
leftist, will inherit the problem. And that is 'good.'

"Also, the plan comes with a bonus... While everyone is discussing
whether Bush was right or not in having invaded Iraq, no one will
question the other 'achievements' of his administration - his
handling of hurricane Katrina, legislation in favor of lobbies and
the wealthy, the fiscal deficit, the boycott of the Kyoto protocol,
religious fanaticism, the teaching in schools of 'intelligent
design' (which questions the theory of evolution),the opposition to
stem-cell research, lies about Saddam's alleged chemical arsenal,
the wall on the US-Mexican border, secret prisons, the legalization
of torture."

- "The US Pentagon is redesigning its maps of the hemisphere"

Leading "Clarin" (01/15) carries an op-ed story by Fabian Calle,
professor of International Relations at Di Tella University and
Catholic University, who writes "... Something is changing in the
area of US defense in spite of the fact that Washington's eyes are
focused on the Iraqi 'swamp,' Iran, China's rise and the challenges
posed by North Korea.

"... (The US Pentagon) has decided to consider the region including
Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela part
of the same strategic area...

"... This could facilitate the eventual interest of Argentina,
Brazil and Chile in establishing a common regional security and
defense area that will also promote peace and stability."

- "Eclipses of Humanity"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" carries an opinion piece by Carlos
Floria, professor of Political Sciences at Universidad San Andres
and School of Law, National University of Buenos Aires, who writes
(01/14) "... Criticism of Republican foreign policy is solid and
rooted in neo-conservative arrogance.

"The US needs to return to the Rule of Law and the adherence to
international treaties like the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. A
review of past foreign policies (of the two political parties) is
crucial.

"... They need a long-term policy of demilitarization and support
for the UN in order to carry out collective interventions justified
by human rights violations, as is the case today in Darfur, and by
the principle of defense against an attack.

"The 'change of regime,' a failed argument in the case of Iraq,
makes us recall Augusto Comte's precept 'We can only destroy that
which we can replace' - a brief and important lesson."


- "Venezuela - the riddles of the 'Chavist revolution'"

Leading "Clarin" carries an op-ed story by its international editor
Marcelo Cantelmi, who writes (01/13) "... With bombastic rhetoric
and foundational acts, Chavez continues taking advantage of the
political and economic crisis from which his leadership emerged.

"... So far and in spite of his noisy speeches, Chavez has always
been less than what he says he is... He has maintained a virtual
free trade deal with the US that does not provide him with food but
fuels his amazing oil profits as the largest oil exporter to the US
market.

"He even made some adjustments in his country's economy that were
praised by the IMF and paved the way for spectacular revenues for
foreign banks, including US banks.

"... Far from his rhetoric, 40 percent of Venezuelans are still in
poverty... It is neither casual nor positive that the only moderate
voice in his government, VP Jose Vicente Rangel, has left the
Venezuelan government...

"This ideological mess not only demonstrates Chavez's own limits but
also explains the relationship he established with some figures that
are the very antithesis of his ideology, like the Iranian theocracy,
in which socialism and relativism would be sufficient grounds to be
hanged."

- "Chavez and our energy sovereignty"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" (01/15) carries an op-ed story by
Neuquen Governor Jorge Sobisch, who writes "Our country has reasons
for concern given the new political and economic panorama in
Mercosur following the reforms announced by Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez, who is infused with a new and messianic spirit.

"... Argentina is undergoing a serious energy crisis, which the
Government still has to acknowledge. Chavez is the main financier of
the Kirchner administration. He has already purchased Argentine debt
bonds for some 3.4 billion dollars... Argentina will surely increase
its dependence on this new (Latin) American dictator."

- "What kind of Socialism does Chavez have in store for Venezuela"

Telma Luzzani, international columnist of leading "Clarin," writes
"Hugo Chavez's announced nationalization of oil, telecommunications
and utility corporations has shocked the hemisphere. However, these
changes are just minimal vis-`-vis the total outline of
transformations that Chavez has in store for the future of
Venezuela.

"Ranging from constitutional reform that includes gas
nationalization and unlimited reelection to un usual experiences
like the creation of self-ruled 'community cities', many are the
transformations proposed and little is known about them."

- "Alarm over the risk of a 'lebanization'"

Fernando Halperin, columnist of daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes
(01/13) "What makes the latest violent outburst different from
others in rocked Bolivia?

"... Analysts agree that this time the meaning and consequences of
what happens in Cochabamba... could have dramatic implications.

"Some predict a possible 'lebanization' - i.e., the dismemberment of
the State.

"During recent years, Bolivia has become at least two countries.
One, the traditional one, impoverished, with an indigenous majority,
has headed towards a so-called vindication for native and
traditionally disregarded inhabitants taken by the hand of a native
president...

"However, this model clashes - with increasing violence - with the
model put forward by the other country, which is located in the
prosperous Eastern region and is in the hands of immigrants'
descendants. Their leaders have traditionally occupied governmental
positions and today, after consecutive crises, they are attempting
to make up the opposition of the native president."


3. EDITORIALS

- "Changes in US policy"

Leading "Clarin" (01/13) "The Bush administration is implementing

some foreign policy changes based on the new power scheme on Capitol
Hill, in which the Democratic Party prevails. The attention will
obviously be focused on the war in Iraq and the claim for an exit
strategy for a conflict that is showing the failure of presidential
staff's original estimates.

"...The truth is that the US foreign policy should now be more
bipartisan and moderate after five years of neo-conservative and
unilateral positions. It should also reinforce multilateral
diplomacy after several years of interventionist geopolitics.

"On the domestic front, changes should include a brake on the most
conservative initiatives related to immigration, social security and
rights of minorities. The new Democratic representatives have also
warned on the Republican administration's overlook of Latin
America.

"This could mean, and it will be good if it happens, a gradual
change of view on the situation in the rest of the hemisphere, and
on roads to promote social and economic development as well as
democratic institutions."

- "Violence and chaos in Cochabamba"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" editorializes (01/13) "the city of
Cochabamba, in Bolivia, has suffered a double siege by so-called
coca leaders, who respond to President Evo Morales 'Movimiento al
Socialismo.' The siege is double - on the one hand, city entrances
are cut... On the other hand, the city itself has been divided with
barricades placed by the coca-leaders.

"... Order should be preserved, immediately followed by constructive
dialogue as the only way to prevent the wave of violence from
spreading. However, dialogue calls for mutual respect, tolerance and
some flexibility - elements that seem to be absent in a profound
crisis that unfortunately threatens to spread itself."

To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires

WAYNE