ARGENTINA: ARGENTINES PLAY UP AMBASSADOR-INTERIOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000092 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2038 TAGS: PREL PGOV AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: ARGENTINES PLAY UP AMBASSADOR-INTERIOR MINISTER MEETING TO COUNTER VISIT TO CUBA REF: A. BUENOS AIRES 00075 ¶B. BUENOS AIRES 00091 Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR WAYNE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) & (D). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The GOA heavily advertised the January 22 meeting of Ambassador Wayne and Interior Minister Randazzo, billing it as a GOA "gesture" to the USG which was widely interpreted as an effort to balance President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's trip to Cuba and Venezuela (reftels) and reassure Washington of its goodwill. In reality, the Ambassador had arranged the meeting earlier, but we were happy to accept the public signal that bilateral relations are important. ¶2. (SBU) After an intense photo spray at the top of the meeting, the Ambassador and Randazzo discussed future areas of cooperation between the U.S. and Argentina under the new Obama administration. Congratulating the Ambassador on President Obama's inauguration, Randazzo said he was struck by the large number of Americans that braved the cold to witness the historic occasion. The Ambassador expressed appreciation for the Embassy's close cooperation with Interior Ministry personnel and said he hoped Argentina and the USG would be able to work together in April during the upcoming G-20 Summit and Summit of Americas respectively. The Minister expressed interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation on immigration issues, establishing a new Argentine visa to help Fulbright scholars, and in convening a working group to discuss opportunities for future cooperation. He also said Argentina would delay imposing visa charges on U.S. tourists. The Ambassador also capitalized on an on-the-spot media interview after the meeting to broadcast our message for enhanced bilateral relations at the dawn of the new Obama administration. End Summary. ¶3. (C) In his first meeting with a GOA cabinet official following President Obama's inauguration, Ambassador Wayne met with Minister of Interior Florencio Randazzo on January ¶22. Relaying his congratulations on President Obama's inauguration, Randazzo said he was struck by the large number of Americans that braved the cold weather to witness the historic occasion. Like President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (CFK),Randazzo said he found President Obama's remarks that "the world has changed and nobody can ignore it" particularly noteworthy (reftel). He added that President Obama faces a critical challenge in managing high expectations as he assumes a post with such enormous responsibility. The Ambassador noted that the new Obama administration will provide the USG with an opportunity to redefine its bilateral relationships, including with more difficult countries like Venezuela and Cuba, and its relations with Latin America at large. He said he hoped Argentina and the USG would be able to work together in April during the G-20 Summit in London and the Summit of Americas in Trinidad and Tobago respectively. (Comment: The Ambassador had set the meeting sometime before, but it was moved up two hours and advertised to the press early January ¶22. We understand Randazzo had met on the evening of January 21 at the Presidential residence in Olivos, and we believe they then decided to highlight the meeting as a way to counter the negative media coverage of CFK's January 20 visit to Cuba.) -------------- Collaborating with Argentina -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation the Embassy receives from the Ministry of Interior's Immigration Department. In particular, he commended Immigration Director Arias Duval's support several months ago of a potential evacuation to Argentina of U.S. Peace Corps personnel in Bolivia. He noted that while this potential evacuation ultimately did not take place, the Embassy was grateful for Duval's immediate and thorough response. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador asked Randazzo about future areas of cooperation, noting that the Embassy already works closely with a number of GOA agencies, including the Ministry of Justice and the National Institute against Discrimination, Racism, and Xenophobia (INADI) on immigration, trafficking-in-persons, and discrimination issues. The Ambassador offered to expand cooperation with the MOI on trafficking-in-persons and human smuggling issues. He observed that many Africans and Chinese nationals appear to be misusing Argentina's open immigration regulations to transit Argentina en route to their final destination, which often is the United States. Randazzo said he would be interested in convening a working group on immigration, in particular on strengthening the border. The Ambassador underscored his interest in maintaining an open dialogue with GOA officials, stressing that the Minister should not hesitate to contact the Ambassador should he need additional information or have questions about Embassy activities. -------------- On Visas and Reciprocal Entry Fees -------------- ¶6. (C) The Ambassador then raised the difficulties U.S. scholars consistently encounter when applying for Argentine visas after their tourist visas expire after 90 days. He previewed the Embassy's efforts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to forge an agreement that provides visa reciprocity between our two countries for Fulbright scholars, and noted that the MFA will likely consult with the MOI's Immigration Department on the matter. He pointed out that the binational Fulbright Program is successful, with 120 Argentine scholars traveling to the U.S. annually and 25 U.S. citizens traveling to Argentina for one year of study or work at universities. Randazzo supported creating a visa category to deal with this problem. Ambassador also asked Randazzo if the GOA was still planning to charge, by March 1, reciprocal entry fees to U.S. citizens arriving at Ezeiza International airport. Randazzo acknowledged that although the GOA had not discarded the plan, it may not be the "best time" to start implementing the fees given the current economic crisis. -------------- On the Economy and the Farm Sector -------------- ¶7. (C) After asking the Ambassador about the impact of the economic crisis on the United States, Randazzo asserted that the crisis has not affected Argentina yet. He claimed that for the first time in its history, Argentina has experienced six years of consecutive growth. He noted that the GOA is working hard in 134 cities in Buenos Aires province to expand housing and improve basic necessities, such as running water, as part of the "Republic Plan." He said he was organizing a special effort to hold events in each of the Buenos Aires suburbs to unveil new public works projects as part of CFK's anti-cyclical economic plan. On the farm conflict, he said the GOA is hoping to restore its relations with the rural sector by distributing a second installment of financial aid to the provinces most severely affected by the drought as part of "Drought Plan II." Randazzo lamented that some leaders continue to politicize the GOA's relations with the farm sector. -------------- -- Positive Press Coverage of the Meeting -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Randazzo's office took the unusual step of sending a press release in advance of the meeting, and the results were evident. Right after the meeting, the Ambassador faced a larger-than-usual media pack of print and broadcast journalists and took questions for roughly 10 minutes. He highlighted the opportunities for improved relations between Argentina and the United States at the onset of the new administration. His remarks were broadcast live by 24/7 news channels and widely reported on radio throughout the day and during prime-time evening news programs. The morning of January 23, all 11 city newspapers carried prominent and largely positive stories on the meeting, which was widely interpreted as the first step in a new era of bilateral relations. An analyst in leading daily "La Nacion" said the GOA sought to enhance the meeting's public profile to compensate for the diplomatic mishap of having CFK in Cuba during President Obama's inauguration. --- BIO --- ¶9. (SBU) Born on March 1, 1964 in Chivilcoy, Buenos Aires province, Randazzo obtained an accounting degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 1989 and attended postgraduate studies at the Argentine Business University and at the National University of La Plata. He served as government minister in Buenos Aires province and provincial cabinet chief from 2003 to 2004. From 2002 to 2003, he was provincial secretary for state modernization and vice president of the Peronist bloc in the Buenos Aires provincial Chamber of Deputies from 1999 to 2001. In 1995, he was the promotion director in the Buenos Aires province Interior Ministry. He served as president of the Chivilcoy City Council from 1993 to 1995, and director of the Chivilcoy District Secretary General Office from 1992 to 1993. Randazzo's supporters cite his low-profile, formal diplomatic manners, and keen negotiation skills as his best qualities, while his critics say he is only interested in personal gain. Randazzo has an 11 year old son and a daughter a few years younger. He is a good communicator in groups and one-on-one. ¶10. (SBU) Comment: Ambassador Wayne took advantage of the positive government disposition in the first days of the new administration to solicit views on prospects for increased cooperation. The Minister's receptivity to strengthening bilateral relations through concrete steps on immigration was encouraging. The Ambassador was also able to capitalize on the media's strong inclination to see an improvement in relations to get wide coverage (print, radio, and television) of the positive message coming out of the meeting. WAYNE