Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUENOSAIRES367
2008-03-20 16:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:  

ARGENTINA: FBI'S AD FUENTES DISCUSSES COOPERATION

Tags:  PTER PREL PGOV KJUS SNAR KCRM ASEC AR FBI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0367/01 0801650
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201650Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0555
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000367 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

WHA/BSC FOR DRUCKER, FRIEDMAN, AND SHOWELL
NEA/IR FOR HWOOSTER
S/CT FOR VIRGINIA PALMER AND ARNOLD SIERRA
NSC FOR JUAN ZARATE
FBI FOR AD TOM FUENTES, CTD IRAN-HIZBALLAH UNIT AND OIO
AMERICAS UNIT
DOJ FOR DAG BRUCE SWARTZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2027
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV KJUS SNAR KCRM ASEC AR FBI
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: FBI'S AD FUENTES DISCUSSES COOPERATION
WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS

REF: A. BUENOS AIRES 713


B. BUENOS AIRES 322

Classified By: AMBASSADOR E. ANTHONY WAYNE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000367

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

WHA/BSC FOR DRUCKER, FRIEDMAN, AND SHOWELL
NEA/IR FOR HWOOSTER
S/CT FOR VIRGINIA PALMER AND ARNOLD SIERRA
NSC FOR JUAN ZARATE
FBI FOR AD TOM FUENTES, CTD IRAN-HIZBALLAH UNIT AND OIO
AMERICAS UNIT
DOJ FOR DAG BRUCE SWARTZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2027
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV KJUS SNAR KCRM ASEC AR FBI
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: FBI'S AD FUENTES DISCUSSES COOPERATION
WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS

REF: A. BUENOS AIRES 713


B. BUENOS AIRES 322

Classified By: AMBASSADOR E. ANTHONY WAYNE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (SBU) Summary: During his March 5-6 visit to Argentina,
FBI Assistant Director Tom Fuentes met with senior officials
of the Argentine government, the Argentine Jewish community,
the Province of Cordoba, and the city of Buenos Aires to
discuss ongoing U.S.-Argentine security cooperation. Those
leaders thanked Fuentes for the USG's support in ensuring a
positive outcome on the Marrakech vote to issuing arrest
warrants for suspects involved in the 1994 AMIA bombing.
Justice Minister Anibal Fernandez updated Fuentes on the
status of trafficking in persons legislation and plans to
decriminalize drug use (in order to reduce pressures on
Argentina's already overburdened prison system). Cordoba
officials noted the progress they are making in reforming the
province's judicial system, and Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio
Macri briefed Fuentes on his plans to develop a Metropolitan
police force. Press coverage of the visit was generally
favorable and contributed to a GOA and public perception that
the USG-GOA relationship is back on track. End Summary.

--------------
The Visit
--------------


2. (C) FBI Assistant Director Tom Fuentes met March 5-6 with
senior officials of the Argentine government, including
Deputy Secretary General of Intelligence Francisco Larcher;
MFA Director for North American Affairs Vicente Espeche Gil
and Ambassador Guillermo Gonzalez; Minister of Justice and
Security Anibal Fernandez; City of Buenos Aires Mayor
Mauricio Macri and Buenos Aires Minister of Security and

Justice Guillermo Montenegro; Chief of Federal Police Nestor
Vallecca; senior judicial and police officials from the
Province of Cordoba; and visited with Jewish leaders at the
site of the 1994 terrorist bombing of the Argentine Israeli
Mutual Association (AMIA). Media coverage of the visit was
generally favorable, signaling positive steps in rebuilding
bilateral relations between the two countries.

--------------
The Foreign Ministry
--------------


3. (C) Much of Fuentes' discussions with GOA officials
centered on the November 2007 Interpol General Assembly,s
overwhelming support of Argentina,s case against Iranian
officials charged in the 1994 AMIA bombing. DCM Kelly
accompanied AD Fuentes to a meeting at the MFA with an
ebullient Under Secretary for Bilateral Affairs Vicente
Espeche Gil and with Ambassador Guillermo Gonzalez. (Note:
Gonzalez led the Argentine delegation, both in the
presentation of the AMIA case before Interpol,s Executive
Committee in March 2007 and later at the General Assembly in
Marrakech.) Both officials expressed their deepest gratitude
for AD Fuentes, advice and discreet support throughout the
process. Ambassador Gonzalez shared a confidential message
from Iran,s Charge d,Affaires proffering a memo of
understanding to resolve the case by establishing a
multi-judicial (and bilateral) working group, but which fell
short of offering any cooperation in bringing the accused to
trial. Fuentes noted that FBI
officials believed that one possible GOI course of action is
to suggest the case be tried in a neutral country, similar to
how the Pan Am 103 defendants were tried. MFA officials
reacted favorably to the idea, as long as the venue was in a
neutral location, such as The Hague.


4. (C) MFA officials expressed their concern over a letter
recently transmitted to the GOA by Congresswoman Ileana
Ros-Lehtninen,s office suggesting that the USG include the
Iranian officials accused in the attack, in the State
Department's "Rewards for Justice" program. Ambassador
Gonzalez opined that this was a bad idea and guessed that his
government, while thankful for USG assistance and support in

the AMIA case, would refuse the offer due to political
sensitivities. In response, AD Fuentes suggested that
Interpol could take the lead by publishing wanted bulletins,
thereby minimizing USG participation. (Comment: Although
Interpol does not have mechanisms for rewards, the
organization,s network of 184 member countries provide
widescale distribution of fugitive information.) Gonzalez
welcomed that suggestion and reiterated Argentina's political
commitment to prosecuting suspects in connection with the
terrorist attack.

--------------
AMIA
--------------


5. (U) In his visit to the rebuilt site of the
Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) building, AD
Fuentes laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the
terrorist attack that killed 85 persons. Leaders of AMIA and
the co-located Delegation of Argentine-Israeli Associations
(DAIA) welcomed the visit and thanked AD Fuentes for the
USG,s unwavering support and technical assistance by the FBI
in this case. AMIA and DAIA leaders voiced their concerns
over what they characterized as a growing Iranian presence in
Latin America and reiterated a call for Interpol member
nations to detain the Iranian officials pursuant to red
notices authorized by Interpol,s General Assembly in
Marrakech. In a separate discussion with AMIA chief
prosecutor Alberto Nisman during a reception that evening, AD
Fuentes praised Nisman,s presentation at the March 2007
meeting of Interpol,s Executive Committee and November 2007
General Assembly which provided convincing evidence of
Iranian responsibility. Nisman expressed his gratitude to AD
Fuentes and the support of the Legatt officers since taking
over the case.

--------------
Ministry of Justice and Federal Police
--------------


6. (C) In separate meetings with Minister of Justice Anibal
Fernandez and Federal Police Chief Nestor Vallecca, AD
Fuentes described his efforts in Marrakech to win the support
of moderate Muslim countries without directly appealing for
their support in the AMIA vote. During a lunch hosted by
Minister Fernandez that was also attended by the Ambassador
and DCM, Fernandez expressed appreciation
for Fuentes' efforts in the AMIA case, calling it key to a
great victory for Argentina. Recalling his May 2007 visit to
Washington and meeting at the FBI that discussed the status
of anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) legislation in
Argentina, Fernandez predicted that his draft bill would
receive better support in Argentina,s Congress than other
drafts, which he characterized as "too convoluted and
containing provisions that were not in-synch with
Argentina,s Constitution." Fernandez stated that once the
legislation is passed, the GOA will be able to build upon it
through implementing regulations and other steps to tackle
trafficking in persons which are ready to roll (see ref A).


7. (C) The Minister took the opportunity to discuss his plans
to deal with drug addicts, whom he said overburden
Argentina's already exhausted legal system. Fernandez cited
costs associated with prosecuting and holding in pre-trial
detention individuals charged with possessing small amounts
of narcotics for personal consumption. He believes that
diversion programs that would include transfer of cases from
the criminal circuit to administrative oversight which
includes rehabilitation, probation, and community service,
will better serve the justice system and allow the
authorities to apply scarce resources to hard-core
traffickers (ref B).

--------------
Province of Cordoba Judicial Officials
--------------


8. (U) During a working breakfast hosted by the DCM, Cordoba

Province's Supreme Court President Armando Andruet, Attorney
General Dario Vezzaro, newly installed Minister of Security
Carlos Caserio, Chief of Police Alejo Paredes, and Director
of Judicial Police Federal Storni discussed crime and
judicial reforms. The Cordoban authorities reviewed their
progress in instituting legal reforms in Argentina and noted
that they are further along in implementing such reforms than
other provinces and the federal government. Narcotics were
clearly the main concern of the Cordoba officials, who
clearly understood the nexus between drug trafficking,
robbery, thefts, corruption and a whole host of social
issues. The officials expressed their appreciation for the
USG,s assistance in training police officers and prosecutors
over the years and welcomed our continued support.

--------------
Meeting with Buenos Aires Mayor Macri
--------------


9. (U) City of Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri and city
Security Minister Guillermo Montenegro requested a meeting
with AD Fuentes to discuss their plans to create a
metropolitan police force, and to seek the advice of the FBI
and the USG with regard to guidelines for selection and
training. During the meeting -- also attended by the DCM --
Macri described his desire to have a police force independent
of the federal police. He believes such a force, emulating
similar models in large U.S. cities, would provide better
community-based policing. Macri indicated that the city
plans to place 1,000 police officers on the streets of Buenos
Aires by the end of 2009. Fuentes noted that the FBI,s
LEGAT office is currently assisting the city,s newly created
Ministry of Security and Justice with a visit to police
training and selection centers in South Florida. Macri
thanked Fuentes for ongoing USG assistance in this area.

-------------- --------------
Meeting with Province of Buenos Aires Minister of Security
-------------- --------------


10. (C) Province of Buenos Aires Minister of Security Carlos
Stornelli traveled from La Plata by helicopter to
specifically meet with the Ambassador and AD Fuentes to
discuss security issues and concerns in the province. During
the meeting, Stornelli characterized the province's security
situation as "poor". Citing failures and bad policies by the
previous governor and security minister, Stornelli assessed
the police department (which is the largest in Argentina with
approximately 50,000 officers) as "broken" and in need of
extreme overhaul. Citing corruption as one of the greatest
threats to the police force, Stornelli blamed politics and
the lack of accountability and institutional professionalism
as factors that have eroded values and public trust.
Stornelli feels that he must first undo much of his
predecessor,s mistakes, to include reinstating a one-year
basic academy and officer and enlisted rank structure as well
as aggressively addressing corruption matters. The Minister
took the opportunity to thank the Ambassador for all of the
training support provided by the USG and pledged to closely
work with the Embassy to ensure security of its personnel who
live within the jurisdiction of Buenos Aires province.

--------------
Comment
--------------


11. (SBU) The Fuentes visit was an excellent opportunity for
Argentine officials to catch up with someone they know and
respect. The visit had significant and positive media
coverage which showcased the mutual benefits of our close
cooperation on some sensitive issues, a lesson that is always
worth repeating here.
WAYNE