ARGENTINA: AMBASSADOR WAYNE BUILDS BRIDGES WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000413 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2018 TAGS: PGOV AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: AMBASSADOR WAYNE BUILDS BRIDGES WITH OUTSPOKEN DEPUTY CARLOS KUNKEL Classified By: Classified By: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for reasons 1 .4(d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador had a cordial meeting with congressional deputies Carlos Kunkel and Luis Ilarregui, of the Kirchners' National Victory Front (FPV). Kunkel, known for his rabid outbursts (sometimes directed at the USG and the Ambassador) in defense of the Kirchners, emphasized the importance of mutual understanding between the U.S. and Argentina and heralded the bilateral relationship and the Ambassador,s efforts to understand Argentina. The Ambassador reiterated the importance of maintaining channels for dialogue in the relationship and cited USG efforts to promote educational exchanges. Kunkel and Ilarregui shared their views on the agricultural crisis, which they predicted (correctly) would be resolved in the next 48 hours. End Summary. Bilateral Relations -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The meeting originated from an unexpected decision by Kunkel and Ilarregui to attend a speech by the Ambassador before a group sponsoring studies of the U.S. Kunkel called the organizers and to their surprise asked to attend. Kunkel had made unfounded criticisms of the Ambassador in the past, including during the recent December-January crisis over "valijagate". Ambassador welcomed Kunkel's presence at this speech and invited him to coffee. ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador expressed his interest in learning about the perspectives on the political environment that Kunkel could provide, given his 30-plus years experience in politics. Kunkel commended the Ambassador,s approach to Argentina as the best way to avoid misunderstandings between governments. He lamented the mischaracterizations of the bilateral relationship. Kunkel caveated his comments by noting that he was not speaking from a diplomatic position, but from a political one. He dismissed the myth of two different GOA discourses -- one public and one private )- and joked that he had a bad memory and he would not be able to remember both sides. The Ambassador said that every good relationship has disagreements, but that the ability to discuss them is what makes relationships strong. The Ambassador said he remained committed to greater understanding between the United States and Argentina in the long term. ¶4. (SBU) Kunkel blamed the media for misportraying the United States in Argentina. He said he had no problems with U.S. businesses in Argentina, and echoed the Ambassador,s comments on maintaining channels of dialogue to avoid misunderstandings. Kunkel emphasized his point by relaying an anecdote about a close Peronist friend (Quilmes Mayor Francisco Gutierrez) who had married an American; the couple,s three daughters had spent time in the United States. The Ambassador invited Kunkel and his colleague to "call at any point" if they felt concerned about U.S. actions or policies. Perspectives on the Ag Strike -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador asked FPV Deputy for his views on the current agricultural strikes (Buenos Aires 0398 and previous). Kunkel said the GOA wanted dialogue and understanding, and expected events in the next 48 hours to calm down. Kunkel mentioned that it was difficult to walk back the protestors 20 days into their strike, and attributed the longevity of the strike partly to the availability of technology. Kunkel said that the GOA needs the extra funds to pay off debt, build infrastructure, and subsidize production. He said that the farmers have to find a product that yields more income. Deputy Ilarregui provided an anecdote regarding Argentina,s current situation by alluding to what he called the "War of the Shirts." He said the U.S. North, prior to the Civil War, wanted to make cotton shirts and export them, while the South wanted to export the cotton to England to have the shirts made there. In this example, Ilarregui said that the U.S. took the North,s approach, and Argentina took the South,s approach. ¶6. (C) Comment: Kunkel has been an outspoken, over-the-top critic of the USG in recent years. He sought this meeting. This, and his "why-can't we-all-just-get-along tone, could presage a change for the better in his public rhetoric. However, given the Kirchner cronies, preference to say one thing publicly and another privately -- the "myth" Kunkel dismissed -- Kunkel will probably reserve the right to speak out against the U.S. when the opportunity is ripe. His attendance at the Ambassador's speech and the Embassy does, however, suggest that even the left edge of the government's base considers it safe (and perhaps opportune) to reach out to the USG. Kunkel said as much in a radio interview following the meeting. End Comment. Bio Notes -------------- ¶7. (U) Kunkel is influential in the government, and has been identified as one of former President Kirchner,s early political mentors. Kunkel has known the former President for almost 30 years; the two first met at the University of La Plata where they were both members of the University Federation of the National Revolution (FURN). Kunkel, who first served as congressional deputy for the Province of Buenos Aires in 1973, resigned his position in 1974 because he disagreed with measures taken by then-President Juan Peron. Kunkel had ties to the armed guerrilla group the Montoneros and was imprisoned from 1975-82. ¶8. (U) Mr. Kunkel belongs to a high-profile political family in the Buenos Aires Province. His wife, Cristina Beatriz Fioramonti, was elected provincial Senator in Buenos Aires in October 2007. His son Daniel is also politically active at the municipal level. Kunkel is a fan of the Argentine soccer team Boca. ¶9. (U) Deputy Luis Alfredo Ilarregui was born in 1940 in Ayacucho, Buenos Aires Province. He has been active in the Peronist Party (PJ) since at least 1983, serving as a municipal mayor and a provincial Senator. Under former President Nestor Kirchner, Ilarregui served as Secretary of Municipal Issues (2003-2005). He was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2005. Ilarregui is married and has five children. He is a fan of the Argentine soccer team River (rival of Boca). WAYNE