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