Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUENOSAIRES229
2009-03-04 18:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:  

ARGENTINA: GOVERNMENT TELLS STAFFDEL LEWIS IT WELCOMES THE

Tags:  PREL PGOV ECON SNAR KTIP AR 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0229/01 0631849
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041849Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3151
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000229 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON SNAR KTIP AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: GOVERNMENT TELLS STAFFDEL LEWIS IT WELCOMES THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DEEPEN TIES

REF: (A) Buenos Aires 168 (B) Buenos Aires 215

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000229

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON SNAR KTIP AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: GOVERNMENT TELLS STAFFDEL LEWIS IT WELCOMES THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DEEPEN TIES

REF: (A) Buenos Aires 168 (B) Buenos Aires 215


1. (SBU) Summary: Argentina MFA Chief of Staff D'Alotto and
Sub-Secretary for Latin American Relations Colombo Sierra told
visiting U.S. Congressional Staffdel Lewis on February 16 that it
welcomed a perceived opportunity to deepen and improve bilateral
ties at the outset of the Obama Administration. Both identified
public security issues, particularly human and drug trafficking, as
top concerns and areas where U.S. collaboration would continue to be
most welcome. Colombo viewed the upcoming April 17-19 Fifth Summit
of the Americas as important for Latin America, a chance for the
region to register among U.S. politicians with a positive message.
End Summary.


2. (SBU) U.S. Congressional Staff Delegation Members Jessica Lewis,
Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to Senator Harry Reid, and Caroline
Tess, Professional Staff Member on the Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence, called on Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sub-Secretary
for Latin American Policies Agustin Colombo Sierra ("CS") and then
with MFA Chief of Staff Alberto D'Alotto on February 16. Charge
d'Affairs a.i. Kelly accompanied them to both meetings, along with
Congressional Military Escort and Poloff (notetaker). The
delegation called subsequently on Finance Secretary Lorenzino
(reftel A) and met with a range of politicians and analysts from
February 17-18 (reftel B).


3. (SBU) In both meetings, Lewis described the staffdel's
overarching purpose as assessing the state of the broad bilateral
relationship and considering what opportunities might be present at
the outset of the Obama Administration. Both CS and D'Alotto
described improved ties with the United States as important.
D'Alotto said that the bilateral relationship had begun to improve
at the end of the Bush Administration, but that the GOA was
particularly enthusiastic about the prospect for better relations
following the inauguration of President Obama.

Public Security and Anti-Trafficking
--------------


4. (SBU) CS said that, aside from the effects of the global economic
crisis, Argentina's most pressing concerns were public security
concerns. Unlike the United States, which "has enemies," CS said

that Argentina faced threats rather than enemies (except perhaps
Iran, he said, referring to Iran's involvement in the 1994 car
bombing of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association, AMIA). He
mentioned "trafficking" as the leading threat, then listed human
trafficking, drug rafficking and contraband as among the dangers.
He viewed the drug trade as most dangerous for Argentina and invited
continued and increased collaboration with the U.S. to address it.
Chief of Staff D'Alotto, similarly, emphasized these concerns and
reiterated the expectation that this would remain an important area
of bilateral cooperation.


5. (SBU) Speaking about public security issues in the Hemisphere, CS
also pointed to Brazil with concern, noting that the GOB could not
entirely control its prisons, its gangs or security in the favellas,
and that this could pose spillover dangers to Argentina. He
identified security concerns in Mexico and Colombia as well, noting
that this theme was increasing important in the Hemisphere.
Argentina sought to act against such threats at home early to
prevent them from growing, he said.

Summit of the Americas
--------------


6. (SBU) Both Colombo Sierra and D'Alotto told Lewis and Tess that
the April 17-19 Fifth Summit of the Americas was an important
meeting for the Hemisphere. CS noted that there were many
high-level regional consultative mechanisms in which Argentina
participated - "seven or eight, which is probably too many" - but
that the Summit was important because it was the only one along with
the OAS that includes the United States and Canada. CS recognized
that Latin America received only limited attention in Washington and
that the Summit was a critical opportunity to get on the agenda,
hopefully in a positive way.

The Region: Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia
--------------


7. (SBU) Staffdel took the opportunity to convey condolences over a
fatal bus accident the day before in Haiti that had cost the life of
one Argentine peacekeeper and left several others badly injured. CS
noted that he was traveling soon to Canada to discuss the Haiti
effort, in particular the Canada-led effort to enhance Haitian
police capabilities and standards. Both CS and D'Alotto,
separately, noted that Argentina had been under some pressure after
Aristide's departure to reconsider participation in MINUSTAH ("some
said we were doing the United States' dirty work," said D'Alotto),
but that the GOA and partner Brazil had continued to see the mission
as important and had persevered.


8. (SBU) D'Alotto expressed the hope that the Obama Administration
would find a way to be more "flexible" toward Cuba. He described as
important the incorporation of Cuba into the Rio Group and believed
that dialogue and inclusion were important to encouraging reform.
D'Alotto also urged that the U.S. end its "blockade" of Cuba.


9. (SBU) Both Colombo Sierra and D'Alotto described Argentina's
relationship with Venezuela as important, saying that President
Chavez had been forthcoming and cooperative toward Argentina.
D'Alotto admitted that the GOA did not always see eye-to-eye with
Venezuela on regional policies, but added that the opposition in
Venezuela hd made a grave error in not contesting congressional
elections. President Chavez, he thought, would find it harder to
sell some of his viewpoints with President Obama in the White House.
CS said personally that he did not favor the idea of indefinite
reelection of a president and had concerns about some directions
Venezuela had taken.


10. (SBU) On Bolivia, both officials described Argentina's role as
active and constructive, saying that the GOA sought to support a
democratically legitimate government but also to encourage mediation
and tolerance as the country addresses its many deep challenges.
D'Alotto suggested that the 2008 UNASUR meeting in Chile on the
Bolivian crisis had been a highly important intervention.

Global Crisis
--------------


11. (SBU) D'Alotto underscored Argentina's view that multilateralism
was critical now in addressing the deep economic challenges facing
the world. The GOA was hopeful that President Obama's rhetoric
indicated a U.S. commitment to multilateral approaches. The G20
would be an important vehicle for looking at the global financial
and commercial system, and Argentina hoped that the USG would be
supportive of a reform of the IMF to make it more effective and
democratic in dealing with developing country needs. Finally, the
GOA hoped that the USG would be "less dogmatic" in its approach to
free trade issues, recognizing that a country such as Argentina
required some protection for certain industries.


12. (SBU) Comment: The GOA MFA is projecting a very positive message
about collaboration with the USG and was clearly pleased to convey
this through the Staffdel.


13. (U) Staffdel reviewed this cable.

WAYNE