ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH THE

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001315 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER YM AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH THE U.S. IN WAKE OF YEMEN ATTACK REF: BUENOS AIRES 1272 ¶1. (U) Argentine MFA U/S for Bilateral Affairs Ambassador Vicente Espeche Gil contacted the CDA September 19 to convey condolences for the September 17 terrorist attack on the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa. The previous evening, at a reception hosted by the CDA, several GOA officials expressed similar sentiments. ¶2. (U) The MFA followed up September 19 with the following press statement: "The Government of the Argentine Republic manifests its consternation and repudiation ofthe brutal terrorist attack committed in the Republic of Yemen, on the morning of September 17, against the Embassy of the United States of America in Sanaa and profoundly laments the sorrowful toll of victims." ¶3. (SBU) Comment: The Argentine MFA does not often comment on events as far afield as those in Yemen unless Argentine interests are directly affected, which makes this statement exceptional. In sharp contrast to the harsh tone of the MFA'S September 11 statement with its incendiary accusations against the USG, the solidarity voiced in the September 19 statement may be a peace offering of sorts. In a possibly related development, President Fernandez de Kirchner travels to New York this evening, September 19. End comment. KELLY