Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUENOSAIRES653
2009-06-04 17:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:
ARGENTINA: AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL ON VP COBOS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBU #0653/01 1551751 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 041751Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3821 INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000653
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2039
TAGS: PREL PGOV AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL ON VP COBOS
REF: A. BUENOS AIRES 0443 AND PREVIOUS
B. BUENOS AIRES 0627
Classified By: Ambassador Wayne for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000653
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2039
TAGS: PREL PGOV AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL ON VP COBOS
REF: A. BUENOS AIRES 0443 AND PREVIOUS
B. BUENOS AIRES 0627
Classified By: Ambassador Wayne for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d).
1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador engaged with Vice President
Julio Cobos during a June 1 farewell call at his Senate
President office on improvements in bilateral cooperation
over the past three years, Argentina's upcoming congressional
elections, and the importance of a strong education system.
Cobos wished the Ambassador well in Afghanistan, noting that
the Ambassador would face a situation in Afghanistan "even
more complicated than Argentina's." Cobos, as in previous
encounters, was warm and gracious. Professorial in speaking
style, he comes across as deeply saddened about the current
state of Argentina's institutions and what he perceives as
Argentines' diminishing regard for the importance of
education. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Ambassador Wayne paid a farewell call on Vice
President Julio Cobos at his Senate office June 1. The
Ambassador explained he was leaving Argentina to take up new
duties in Afghanistan. Cobos replied that the Ambassador
would confront a more complicated situation in Afghanistan
than he has found in Argentina; although, Cobos added with a
smile: "we Argentines are characters." The Ambassador said
that he would leave Argentina with many positive memories,
especially of the people and their warmth, intelligence, and
strong work ethic. He noted that although Argentina has
progressed, it has even greater potential to be a leader in
South America, given its natural resources and the caliber of
its people.
3. (C) Turning to foreign policy, Cobos said he hoped
Argentina would improve its relations with the rest of the
world. The Ambassador said that in his tenure, U.S.
relations with Argentina have strengthened and expressed his
hope that they would expand even further. He noted that over
the last three years, the Embassy has implemented an
English-language study program, offering scholarships to 600
underprivileged youth to study English in 2009. He added
that language study and cultural exchanges are critical to
fostering greater cross-cultural understanding. The
Ambassador also expressed his appreciation for continued
bilateral cooperation on counter-narcotics,
trafficking-in-persons, and security-related issues. He
relayed USG interest in additional bilateral exchanges
between our respective legislative and judicial branches.
On the Mid-Terms
--------------
4. (C) Cobos was hesitant to predict the outcome of the
congressional elections on June 28, saying "we must wait and
see what will happen." He noted that Argentina, with its 23
provinces and the capital district, is more than Greater
Buenos Aires Province, in a clear reference to the Kirchners'
efforts to focus attention on the results there, where they
have their largest base of supporters (Ref A). He said he
expected the Radical party to run a strong race in Mendoza
and noted his difficulties in influencing the race as he is
not a candidate and his popularity does not transfer to
others, adding that Santa Fe Governor Hermes Binner of the
Socialist party faces a similar challenge in Santa Fe
province. (Note: As of May 2009 polling by IPSOS, Cobos's
positive image nationwide is at 51%, making him the most
popular national leader.)
The Importance of a Solid Educational System
--------------
5. (C) Cobos, a former university professor, bemoaned the
decline of public education as one of Argentina's principal
challenges. He noted that the GOA in the 1990s transferred
to the provinces responsibility without providing the
necessary resources. He remarked that if Argentina is to be
a "serious country" it needs to reestablish a high-quality
education system valued by the public. He added that his
father always encouraged him to regard education as an
investment, a view that he believes fewer Argentine parents
today are imparting to their children.
Questions on General Motors' Bankruptcy
--------------
6. (C) Cobos asked the Ambassador for his take on General
Motors' (GM) recent decision to file for bankruptcy. The
Ambassador noted that although GM's bankruptcy is significant
because of the company's size, it is one of thousands of U.S.
businesses that enter bankruptcy each year. He noted that
bankruptcy can provide companies an opportunity to reorganize
and recover. (Ref B offers background on recent statements
by GM's Argentine manufacturing affiliate that it is a
separately incorporated stand-alone entity that will not be
directly impacted by its U.S. parent company's Chapter 11
filing.)
7. (C) In closing, the Ambassador commended Cobos for his
focus on the need to strengthen Argentina's institutions.
Cobos said he hoped Argentina would become a more
representative country, which would succeed in eliminating
discrimination among its social programs and be marked by a
strong education system. The Ambassador agreed that
Argentina could benefit from stronger institutions. He noted
that the Embassy will continue to welcome close relations at
all levels of the GOA under the new Ambassador.
Press Coverage
--------------
8. (SBU) Several newspapers published photos and excerpts
from the Embassy's press release. Stories positively
portrayed the meeting and the Ambassador's tenure in
Argentina.
Comment
--------------
9. (SBU) The state of Argentina's institutions has been a key
focus of Cobos, who, during his tenure as Governor of Mendoza
province, implemented a province-wide program aimed at
strengthening institutions. Today, a similar program is
being implemented in the national Senate, which aims to
increase citizen participation in legislative affairs.
10. (C) Cobos, as he has been in previous encounters, was a
warm and gracious host who put his guests at ease.
Professorial in speaking style, he comes across as deeply
saddened about the current state of Argentina's institutions
and what he perceives as Argentines' diminishing regard for
the importance of education. If Cobos can maintain his high
popularity, we do not discount the possibility (which he has
publicly floated) that he will make a run for the presidency.
WAYNE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2039
TAGS: PREL PGOV AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL ON VP COBOS
REF: A. BUENOS AIRES 0443 AND PREVIOUS
B. BUENOS AIRES 0627
Classified By: Ambassador Wayne for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d).
1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador engaged with Vice President
Julio Cobos during a June 1 farewell call at his Senate
President office on improvements in bilateral cooperation
over the past three years, Argentina's upcoming congressional
elections, and the importance of a strong education system.
Cobos wished the Ambassador well in Afghanistan, noting that
the Ambassador would face a situation in Afghanistan "even
more complicated than Argentina's." Cobos, as in previous
encounters, was warm and gracious. Professorial in speaking
style, he comes across as deeply saddened about the current
state of Argentina's institutions and what he perceives as
Argentines' diminishing regard for the importance of
education. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Ambassador Wayne paid a farewell call on Vice
President Julio Cobos at his Senate office June 1. The
Ambassador explained he was leaving Argentina to take up new
duties in Afghanistan. Cobos replied that the Ambassador
would confront a more complicated situation in Afghanistan
than he has found in Argentina; although, Cobos added with a
smile: "we Argentines are characters." The Ambassador said
that he would leave Argentina with many positive memories,
especially of the people and their warmth, intelligence, and
strong work ethic. He noted that although Argentina has
progressed, it has even greater potential to be a leader in
South America, given its natural resources and the caliber of
its people.
3. (C) Turning to foreign policy, Cobos said he hoped
Argentina would improve its relations with the rest of the
world. The Ambassador said that in his tenure, U.S.
relations with Argentina have strengthened and expressed his
hope that they would expand even further. He noted that over
the last three years, the Embassy has implemented an
English-language study program, offering scholarships to 600
underprivileged youth to study English in 2009. He added
that language study and cultural exchanges are critical to
fostering greater cross-cultural understanding. The
Ambassador also expressed his appreciation for continued
bilateral cooperation on counter-narcotics,
trafficking-in-persons, and security-related issues. He
relayed USG interest in additional bilateral exchanges
between our respective legislative and judicial branches.
On the Mid-Terms
--------------
4. (C) Cobos was hesitant to predict the outcome of the
congressional elections on June 28, saying "we must wait and
see what will happen." He noted that Argentina, with its 23
provinces and the capital district, is more than Greater
Buenos Aires Province, in a clear reference to the Kirchners'
efforts to focus attention on the results there, where they
have their largest base of supporters (Ref A). He said he
expected the Radical party to run a strong race in Mendoza
and noted his difficulties in influencing the race as he is
not a candidate and his popularity does not transfer to
others, adding that Santa Fe Governor Hermes Binner of the
Socialist party faces a similar challenge in Santa Fe
province. (Note: As of May 2009 polling by IPSOS, Cobos's
positive image nationwide is at 51%, making him the most
popular national leader.)
The Importance of a Solid Educational System
--------------
5. (C) Cobos, a former university professor, bemoaned the
decline of public education as one of Argentina's principal
challenges. He noted that the GOA in the 1990s transferred
to the provinces responsibility without providing the
necessary resources. He remarked that if Argentina is to be
a "serious country" it needs to reestablish a high-quality
education system valued by the public. He added that his
father always encouraged him to regard education as an
investment, a view that he believes fewer Argentine parents
today are imparting to their children.
Questions on General Motors' Bankruptcy
--------------
6. (C) Cobos asked the Ambassador for his take on General
Motors' (GM) recent decision to file for bankruptcy. The
Ambassador noted that although GM's bankruptcy is significant
because of the company's size, it is one of thousands of U.S.
businesses that enter bankruptcy each year. He noted that
bankruptcy can provide companies an opportunity to reorganize
and recover. (Ref B offers background on recent statements
by GM's Argentine manufacturing affiliate that it is a
separately incorporated stand-alone entity that will not be
directly impacted by its U.S. parent company's Chapter 11
filing.)
7. (C) In closing, the Ambassador commended Cobos for his
focus on the need to strengthen Argentina's institutions.
Cobos said he hoped Argentina would become a more
representative country, which would succeed in eliminating
discrimination among its social programs and be marked by a
strong education system. The Ambassador agreed that
Argentina could benefit from stronger institutions. He noted
that the Embassy will continue to welcome close relations at
all levels of the GOA under the new Ambassador.
Press Coverage
--------------
8. (SBU) Several newspapers published photos and excerpts
from the Embassy's press release. Stories positively
portrayed the meeting and the Ambassador's tenure in
Argentina.
Comment
--------------
9. (SBU) The state of Argentina's institutions has been a key
focus of Cobos, who, during his tenure as Governor of Mendoza
province, implemented a province-wide program aimed at
strengthening institutions. Today, a similar program is
being implemented in the national Senate, which aims to
increase citizen participation in legislative affairs.
10. (C) Cobos, as he has been in previous encounters, was a
warm and gracious host who put his guests at ease.
Professorial in speaking style, he comes across as deeply
saddened about the current state of Argentina's institutions
and what he perceives as Argentines' diminishing regard for
the importance of education. If Cobos can maintain his high
popularity, we do not discount the possibility (which he has
publicly floated) that he will make a run for the presidency.
WAYNE