MEDIA REACTION; HAITI; 1/30/10 -2/1/10; BUENOS AIRES

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000106 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R/MR, I/GWHA, WHA, WHA/PDA, WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC CDR USSOCOM FOR J-2 IAD/LAMA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KPAO KMDR PREL HA AR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION; HAITI; 1/30/10 -2/1/10; BUENOS AIRES SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Most local newspapers reported that ten U.S. Baptists were arrested after attempting to take 33 children out of Haiti, as well as on the temporary suspension of U.S. medical evacuation flights from Haiti. One POSITIVE opinion piece emphasized the important logistic role played by the U.S. in the relief efforts of the international community. End summary. U.S. BAPTISTS BEING HELD AFTER TRYING TO TAKE 33 HAITIAN CHILDREN -------------- ¶2. Most local dailies reported on the detention of ten Americans after they tried to take 33 children out of Haiti, connecting it with fears over possible child trafficking. Under the headline "Caribbean pirates," pro-government, left-of-center Pagina 12 front-page (2/1) highlighted that, "While UNICEF warned about child trafficking in Haiti, ten U.S. citizens were arrested when attempting to reach Santo Domingo with 33 undocumented children." The paper quoted two Haitian ministers as saying, "This is not adoption, but robbery of children." http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/sociedad/3- 139399-2010-02-01.html ¶3. In a side-box entitled "The other 'humanitarian' face," Pagina 12 opined, "The U.S. humanitarian help has an ambivalent face. On the one hand, a group of Americans wanted to provide 'humanitarian' help by taking 33 undocumented children towards 'a better future,' as if they were animals. On the other hand, the U.S. army confirmed it suspended evacuation flights for the Haitians who need medical attention in the U.S. after the earthquake." http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/sociedad/su bnotas/139399-45031-20 10-02-01.html ¶4. Leading circulation Clarin (2/1) reported, "The government orders now that PM Max Bellerive personally authorize the departure of every children as a way to prevent child trafficking." (1/30) leading Clarin reported that Puerto Rican physicians who went to Haiti on a mission organized by Puerto Rico's Senate took humiliating pictures of the victims and uploaded them onto Facebook. The pictures showed smiling Puerto Rican doctors who lifted cups and bottles of wine and whisky, and others, who were also smiling, holding weapons lent by Dominican soldiers." http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/01/30/um/m- 02130661.htm http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/01/29/um/m- 02129690.htm ¶5. Under the headline "Trafficking problems in Port-au-Prince," centrist Critica de la Argentina subheadline (2/1) read, "Members of the NGO New Life Children's Refugee explained they were transferring children to an orphanage in the neighboring country Dominican Republic." The Haitian government believes this is "a case of robbery, not an adoption." The paper added, "None of the children had an I.D. or an official permit to get out of the country." Business-financial "Ambito Financiero" (02/01) headed, "Ten U.S. citizens are arrested for trafficking children in Haiti," and adds, "They are 33 children between 2 months and 12 years old. Reportedly, they have family in the country." http://criticadigital.com/impresa/index.php?s ecc=nota &nid=37816 http://www.ambito.com/noticia.asp?id=505547 MEDICAL EVACUATION FLIGHTS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED -------------- ¶6. (1/31) Daily-of-record La Nacion printed an article by AFP and ANSA wire service agencies reporting that "the U.S. military forces announced they would suspend medical evacuation flights for seriously wounded victims of the earthquake until it is determined who will pay for their medical care." The paper noted that Captain Kevin Aandahl, spokesperson of Transcom, said, "'Apparently, some states were not willing to accept the entry of Haitian patients for a continued medical treatment' of serious injuries." http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1 227881 "THE LONG ROAD TOWARDS RECONSTRUCTION" -------------- ¶7. A POSITIVE opinion piece in Critica de la Argentina, by Fulvio Pompeo, International Relations Chief at the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, opined, "The international community reacted fast (to the Haitian earthquake) and over 30 countries lent their support and cooperation." Pompeo noted that "the significant logistic role played by the U.S., which was even highlighted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy," should be emphasized. http://criticadigital.com/impresa/index.php?s ecc=nota &nid=37816 To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires MARTINEZ