MEETINGS WITH ARGENTINE INTERIOR MINISTER AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000862 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA FOR PDAS SHAPIRO AND DAS DUDDY WHA/BSC FOR BARNES, FRIEDMAN, AND BLAKENEY WHA/PPC FOR PUCCETTI G/TIP FOR BARBARA FLECK NEA/IR FOR HWOOSTER S/CT FOR VIRGINIA PALMER AND ARNOLD SIERRA NSC FOR JUAN ZARATE AND JOSE CARDENAS FBI FOR CTD IRAN-HIZBALLAH UNIT AND OIO AMERICAS UNIT DHS FOR ICE A/S JULIE MYERS DHS FOR OIA KEVIN O'REILLY FBI FOR THOMAS V. FUENTES, INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS VILNIUS FOR THOMAS P. KELLY GUATEMALA FOR ALEX FEATHERSTONE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017 TAGS: PTER ASEC ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG KWMN PGOV KJUS, FBI, AR SUBJECT: MEETINGS WITH ARGENTINE INTERIOR MINISTER AND AMIA/DAIA LEADERSHIP ON AMIA AND TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REF: BUENOS AIRES 838 Classified By: E. ANTHONY WAYNE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) On April 30, Minister of Interior Anibal Fernandez met for over an hour with the Ambassador, FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of International Operations, Tom Fuentes and LEGATT to discuss trafficking in persons, upcoming USG training programs, and next steps on the AMIA case. Minister Fernandez expressed interest in a briefing on how the USG coordinates law enforcement efforts to combat trafficking in persons, and Fuentes agreed to arrange a briefing during Fernandez,s May 3-4 trip to Washington. In a separate meeting, Fuentes and Ambassador also met April 30 with AMIA prosecutor Alberto Nisman and representatives of AMIA and DAIA, the major Jewish community and political representatives in Argentina to discuss next steps on the AMIA case. The AMIA and DAIA representatives expressed appreciation for the USG's assistance and noted the Argentine Jewish community's united support for the GoA's actions in support of eventual prosecution of the AMIA case. They also noted their deep concern over the growing ties between Venezuela and Iran. End Summary. Trafficking in Persons -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Noting his upcoming May 3-4 visit to Washington, Fernandez expressed interest in receiving a briefing on how the U.S. manages law enforcement operations regarding Trafficking in Persons cases (reftel). He said he had been working on this issue for well over a year and now that a federal law will be passed soon, he wants to learn all he can about best practices for use when he begins implementing the law. SAC Fuentes stated that he would organize a briefing, coordinating with counterparts from the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Training and Visits -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Legatt briefed the Minister on Argentine Airport Police Chief Director Sain,s upcoming visit to the United States for professional exchanges and on two trial advocacy training seminars the USG is offering in June 2007 in Buenos Aires and Cordoba, Argentina. The Ambassador informed the Minister of the USG,s offer of new equipment and software to improve Argentina,s export control system for strategic materials and the interest of the Transportation Security Administration to negotiate an MOU with Argentina,s Airport Security Police. He also briefed the Minister on agreed plans for the Drug Enforcement Agency to begin cooperative operations in Missiones province. Legatt also reminded the Minister of the FBI,s invitation to participate in Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Conference in Miami in June 2007. The Minister was positive and grateful in all of these areas. Next Steps on the AMIA Case -------------- ¶4. (C) SAC Fuentes shared his perspectives on the status of the request for Interpol to issue red notices against suspects in the AMIA terrorist bombing. He noted that the Executive Committee had been unanimous in its support of the Argentine request for sx suspects, and that as long as the issue was maintained as a law enforcement action against those suspected of the attack, he thought the November General Assembly should support the Executive Committee position. It is key that Argentina continue to inform others of the seriousness of its investigation, emphasize it is strictly a criminal not political matter, and that this not be turned into an anti-Muslim issue. Fernandez agreed and advised the GOA will continue its diplomatic efforts to ensure the Interpol General Assembly approves publication of the Red Notices during its November 2007 meeting in Morocco. ¶5. (C) Fuentes and Ambassador also met April 30 with AMIA prosecutor Alberto Nisman and representatives of AMIA and DAIA, the major Jewish community and political representatives in Argentina. Fuentes again briefed on the Interpol process and prospects for the November General Assembly in Morocco, and reiterated assurances of continued FBI and USG assistance. The AMIA and DAIA representatives expressed their deep appreciation for the USG's assistance and noted the Argentine Jewish community's united support for the AMIA prosecution and its support for the GoA's actions. ¶6. (SBU) Aldo Donzis, DAIA President, noted the importance of this case in deterring future attacks and, in this vein, expressed concern over the growing ties between Venezuela and Iran. He and the other Jewish community leaders noted the continuing occurrence of anti-Semitic acts in Argentina and the rest of Latin America and cited Venezuelan President Chavez's "violent and anti-Semitic language." Donzis noted that Venezuela's full membership in MERCOSUR would facilitate the "free circulation" in the member countries of Iranians and Syrians, now connected to Caracas by direct flights. Donzis and the others said they understood the political reasons for the Interpol Executive Committee not recommending capture notices for former Iranian President Rafsanjani and the former Foreign Minister and Ambassador, but said it was important that these individuals not be immune and that justice be pursued. WAYNE