A/S SHANNON'S AUGUST 27 MEETING WITH PRESIDENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001221 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BL PA AR SUBJECT: A/S SHANNON'S AUGUST 27 MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KIRCHNER Classified By: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a frank and friendly fifty-minute conversation, President Fernandez de Kirchner shared her views with A/S Shannon on Paraguay and Bolivia. She said she would work to support President Lugo and agreed to work quietly with us on Bolivia. She shared plans for her travel to NYC for the UNGA and indicated she would like to attend Secretary Rice's breakfast if her schedule permits. She also expressed her support for the ongoing U.S.-Argentina policy consultation process. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On August, 28, A/S Shannon and Ambassador Wayne met for fifty minutes with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (CFK),Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana, and Ambassador to Washington Hector Timerman. Paraguay -------------- ¶3. (C) A/S Shannon explained that he was traveling to Paraguay later in the day and would be meeting with President Lugo and his ministerial team. CFK said she had had a good visit to Paraguay for Lugo's inauguration. She said that Lugo had many evident good qualities, but he faces many challenges to bringing positive changes to Paraguay after so many years of rule by the Colorado Party. A/S Shannon agreed, noting that this could be a period of historic change and that the USG wanted to support a positive evolution in the situation. CFK said Argentina would work hard to support the new leader. Bolivia -------------- ¶4. (C) After brief exchanges on the Olympics, the U.S. electoral campaign, and the economic situation in the United States, discussion turned to Bolivia. A/S Shannon recounted his last visit to Bolivia and subsequent developments which indicate that President Morales believes that the USG is working against him, despite our efforts to convince him otherwise. CFK said that the referendum results were a very strong show of support for Morales, even in opposition provinces. She suggested one way to build confidence with Morales would be for the USG to come out against anti-democratic acts by any of the prefects or their supporters. CFK said she understood problems created by the "cocaleros," but noted that Morales had won the popular vote with a large majority. ¶5. (C) A/S Shannon noted that Evo had harmed himself in the United States with constant anti-U.S. rhetoric, alienating many previously sympathetic members of Congress, for example. Nevertheless, the USG will work to support Bolivia's territorial integrity, progress for its people and its democratic institutions. We want to continue to work closely with the three "Friends of Bolivia" (Argentina, Brazil and Colombia) to support a peaceful and democratic way forward. CFK said that she recognized the situation in Bolivia was very tough and the level of poverty makes change very difficult. In solving these challenges, the USG can play a very important role. Evo is not an easy person, CFK confided, noting Argentina's problems in getting natural gas delivered from Bolivia. We all need patience, she said. CFK said Argentines would cooperate with the USG on Bolivia, but we need to be careful that it not look like a "political operation" against the government, given Evo's suspicions. CFK noted that she wants Argentina to work to improve relations with and among all countries in the region and to help replace bilateral struggles and fights with frank discussion and the finding of solutions. Summit of the Americas -------------- ¶6. (C) A/S Shannon briefed CFK on our approach to the next Summit of the Americas in April 2009. She said she looked forward to working with us to make the Summit successful. Visit to New York for UNGA -------------- ¶7. (C) CFK said she was looking forward to her visit to New York City during the UNGA in September. In addition to her UN speech and meetings, CFK will visit NASDAQ, lunch with high-tech CEOs, and join an event with others (including Evo Morales) at the New School. She will participate in the Clinton Initiative and in a charity event with Shakira, which will also include the Presidents of Mexico and El Salvador. CFK will also have an event with the Council of the Americas, participate in a meeting organized by Ron Lauder and the World Jewish Congress, and meet with the Council on Foreign Relations. ¶8. (C) A/S Shannon raised the invitation from Secretary Rice to participate in a Women Leaders breakfast on September 25. Ambassador Wayne said he understood President Bachelet had accepted. CFK said (twice) she didn't see a problem attending and asked Foreign Minister Taiana and Ambassador Timerman to confirm that it would be possible for her to attend. Anti-Semitism Declaration -------------- ¶9. (C) Ambassador Timerman recounted his participation in a meeting with President Chavez and WJC leader Lauder where Chavez said he was willing to sign a declaration with CFK and President Lula pledging to make South America a region free of anti-Semitism. Subsequently, a tentative date of September 6 in Brazil had been proposed for signing the statement, but Lula had just signaled he could not do it September 6. CFK added that she would still travel to Brazil September 7 at Lula's invitation. U.S.-Argentine Consultations -------------- ¶10. (C) A/S Shannon briefed CFK on plans for a further round of bilateral consultations in Washington in November and the notion of using these to help keep relations on a steady basis. CFK expressed her full support for this process. ¶11. (U) This cable was cleared by A/S Thomas A. Shannon. WAYNE