ARGENTINA: SCHEDULING THE NEXT POL/MIL BILATERAL

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000785 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PARM PREL PGOV PTER AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: SCHEDULING THE NEXT POL/MIL BILATERAL ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Regular bilateral Pol/Mil meetings have been an integral part of managing and advancing our broad security relationship with Argentina, from the classic Pol/Mil issues to counterterrorism and non-proliferation. The GoA hosted the last Pol/Mil bilaterals in December ¶2006. It is the Department's turn to host the next meeting. These encounters serve as a useful adjunct to the recently revived bilateral framework talks on more general foreign policy matters between the GoA and USG. Action Request: Embassy requests that PM and WHA confer and coordinate a Bilateral Political-Military meeting in Washington for the September/October timeframe. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of International Security, Nuclear and Space Issues (DIGAN), hosted the last Pol/Mil Bilateral meeting in Buenos Aires in December 2006. Our two countries alternate hosting the bilaterals, which were intended to be annual, but the Department did not reciprocate in 2007. These meetings are an important element in coordinating bilateral security policy and programs, and complement the annual Mil/Mil Bilateral Working Group meeting (BWG),the Joint Staffs bilateral meeting, and the JSCNEC (Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy Cooperation) meeting. (DOD hosted the BWG in April in Washington.) The Pol/Mil meetings are particularly important because they cover the broad range of the bilateral security relationship, with a focus on policy. Given the GoA's prohibition of its armed services to participate in counterterrorism and counternarcotics-related missions, the Pol/Mil meetings allow us (particularly Southcom) to discuss these important issues with MFA authorities in the broader policy context. ¶3. (SBU) Suggested agenda items could include: -- Argentine and U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security Goals -- Hemispheric Security, to include: Peacekeeping Operations (Haiti, Southern Cross, other); Peacekeeping Training (Argentine Initiative: "Asociacion Latinoamericano de Centros de Paz" -- ALCOPAZ -- that includes Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru and Argentina). -- Mil/Mil: Exercises, Training and Security Assistance; Argentine and Southcom Defense Transformation (4th Fleet, 6th Army); Regional Logistical Opportunities; Brooke Sanctions: Effect on EDA and FMF. -- Global Security: Non-proliferation Issues: PSI, Export Control and Border Security, Megaports, and CSI; Global Initiative Against Nuclear Terrorism; Maritime Security; Counterterrorism; Counternarcotics. ¶4. (SBU) Action Request: Regular (if not annual) Pol/Mil Bilaterals are an important tool in managing and advancing the broad range of U.S./Argentine security issues and cooperation. Argentina is a valued regional and international partner. The MFA and its Directorate of International Security, Nuclear and Space Issues (DIGAN) are generally interested in reviewing and strengthening this relationship. These encounters serve as a useful adjunct to the recently revived bilateral framework talks on more general foreign policy matters between the GoA and USG, providing a framework for substantive discussions on issues where we have positive cooperation with Argentina and demonstrating interest in both capitals in the relationship. Embassy requests that PM and WHA begin the process of scheduling and organizing a Pol/Mil Bilateral meeting for the September-October timeframe. WAYNE