ARGENTINA SUPPORTS COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES BUT ASKS FOR

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001347 DEPT FOR G JOAQUIN FERRAO AND DRL/MLGA LAURA JORDAN SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA SUPPORTS COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES BUT ASKS FOR GREATER COORDINATION AND INFORMATION-SHARING REF: A. SECSTATE 97313 ¶B. 9/25/08 Gomez-Ferrao/Jordan E-mail ¶1. (SBU) POLOFF raised reftel points with Soledad Capone in the Argentine MFA's Office of International Organizations. Capone indicated that Vice Foreign Minister Victorio Taccetti is currently scheduled to participate in the September 26 Community of Democracies (CD) meeting. She explained that Argentina is not a member of the Convening Group, but has participated in the past in what she called the CD's poverty and development working group. Capone stated that, in principle, Argentina supports the CD, but is concerned that there is no formal communication channel in which members can be kept apprised of the CD's initiatives. For example, Argentina's mission to the UN never received texts of country-specific statements on Zimbabwe, Mauritania, Georgia, and other countries, nor information that the Convening Group had selected Lithuania as its new Chair. While Argentina does not have any objections to Lithuania's selection, she expressed concern over the lack of coordination and information-sharing about the CD's activities. Capone stated that she hoped that this would improve with the creation of a CD Secretariat in Poland. ¶2. (SBU) On NGOs, Capone stated that Argentina, in principle, believes that NGOs should not be blocked from participating in UN fora, but explained that Argentina is not a member of ECOSOC and therefore, has not played a role in deciding which NGOs should be granted ECOSOC consultative status. Although Argentina does not have a position on this issue, she said it was an opportunity for the GOA to study the matter further. She added that Argentina would not oppose efforts by the CD to combat initiatives that would silence NGOs and human rights defenders. ¶3. (SBU) On freedom of expression and internet freedom, Capone said Argentina supports these freedoms. With respect to the Democracy Caucus, she stated that Argentina has reservations, noting that Argentina already belongs to GRULAC and the G-77 and will continue to use GRULAC and G-77 positions as its point of reference for negotiations in the UN. KELLY