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