MEDIA REACTION; SARKOZY'S TIES TO BUSH; TECHINT AND CHAVEZ;

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000900

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; SARKOZY'S TIES TO BUSH; TECHINT AND CHAVEZ;
05/08/07; BUENOS AIRES



1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Leading international stories today include President-elect Nicolas
Sarkozy's views on France's relationship with the US; and Argentine
company Techint toning down a possible conflict with Venezuelan
President Chavez.


2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS

- "The US praises Sarkozy for being 'a friend of Americans'"

Ana Baron, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarin,"
penned (05/08) "Last year, while in Washington, French
President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy surprised more than one American by
saying 'My dedication to our ties to the US is well-known and I have
been very much criticized because of this. I am not a coward. I
reaffirm our friendship and I am proud of the friendly ties between
France and the US and I gladly say it in public.' With the
prevailing anti-Americanism in the world, no one expected a French
political leader to campaign with pro-US positions.

"The US celebrated Sarkozy's victory. George Bush was one of the
first presidents to call him on Sunday to congratulate him. And US
newspapers reflected yesterday the White House's hope that with
Sarkozy in France and Angela Merkel in Germany the US-European
relationship will be smoother.

"... The night of his victory, Sarkozy said that France's 'American
friends' can rely on the friendship between the two countries. And
that France would always 'side with the US when needed.'
Nevertheless, he warned that there are always points of disagreement
between friends and he urged the Bush administration to lead the
effort to protect the environment. It is also known that Sarkozy is
against both the war in Iraq and Turkey's entry into NATO, which is
defended by Bush."

- "The French buddy"

Paula Lugones, international columnist of leading "Clarin,"
highlights (05/08) "... In addition to hamburgers and Miami Vice,
the future French president has some other strong points of
agreement with Republicans, such as the role played by the State,
tax policy and 'zero tolerance' on crime.

"In a few days, Tony Blair will be gone. Now, being French is no
longer a dirty word - Sarkozy is highly likely to become
Washington's foot in Europe."

- "Techint guarantees Chavez that it will prioritize the domestic
market"

Alejandro Bianchi, economic columnist of business-financial "El
Cronista," writes (05/08) "Sidor... attempted to downplay its
dispute with Chavez by asserting that it will prioritize the supply
to the domestic market, as the Venezuelan president demanded.

"Chavez had blamed Sidor of prioritizing exports, to the detriment
of the domestic market, of seamless tubes used by the oil industry.
However, the accused company only manufactures raw materials. Tubes
are manufactured by Tavsa, which also belongs to the Techint group,
whose only customer is state oil company PdVSA...

"... The future of Techint in Venezuela will be decided by mid May
when Paolo Rocca, head of the Argentine group, travels to Caracas at
the special invitation of Chavez.

"For both Kirchner and Chavez, there is much at stake. For Chavez,
Sidor is a coveted piece of his nationalization policy, although it
could damage his ties to Argentina and a 'friendly' president. And
just a few believe that Kirchner will leave Techint unprotected in a
key business for the group on a regional level."

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

MATERA