ARGENTINA OFFICIALS EAGER TO STRENGTHEN ANTI-TIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000493 SIPDIS SIPDIS G/TIP FOR FLECK, FORSTROM, AND SIGMON WHA/PPC FOR MILLER WHA/BSC FOR DRUCKER, FRIEDMAN, SHOWELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2017 TAGS: ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG KWMN PGOV ASEC AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA OFFICIALS EAGER TO STRENGTHEN ANTI-TIP COOPERATION WITH PASSAGE OF NEW LAW REF: BUENOS AIRES 465 Classified By: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On April 10, Argentine Justice Minister Anibal Fernandez informed visiting WHA Assistant Secretary Tom Shannon and Ambassador Wayne that he was very pleased with the April 9 Congressional passage of anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) legislation. He indicated that he was eager to begin working on the Ministry's anti-TIP implementation plan, directing the Argentine Federal Police and the Gendarmerie (Border Patrol) under his command to crack down on human trafficking rings in the northern part of Argentina. A/S Shannon welcomed the anti-TIP legislation, urged vigorous enforcement, and offered U.S. support and cooperation to boost prosecutions. ¶2. (C) In a separate meeting, Chief of Cabinet Minister Alberto Fernandez noted that, with the passage of anti-TIP legislation, Argentina's law enforcement cooperation with the United States will not only include combating drugs and terrorism, but also human trafficking. Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana and Under Secretary for Bilateral Relations Vicente Espeche Gil also raised TIP with A/S Shannon (septel),noting that the law would now give the GOA the jurisdiction and authority to investigate and prosecute human traffickers. They expressed hope that the law's passage would be taken as a sign of the GOA's commitment to fighting TIP and that the Department takes this into consideration when determining this year's TIP report rankings. Post will continue to work with the GOA to ensure vigorous implementation of the anti-TIP law. WAYNE