MEDIA REACTION; U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE IN HAITI; TIP;

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000150 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; U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE IN HAITI; TIP; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE; 2/6/10 - 2/8/10; BUENOS AIRES SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Haiti continues to make headlines in Argentina, focusing on concerns of prolonged U.S. military involvement, trafficking in persons and the need for more humanitarian assistance. Largest circulation Clarin quoted U.S. Army Col. Gregory Kane, Director of U.S. Joint Task Force Haiti operations, that U.S. troops will stay in Haiti "as long as necessary." Clarin also reported on an anti-U.S. leftist demonstration against the U.S. military presence in Haiti, in part one of a two-part side-box overshadowing a report on a meeting between the Ambassador and Argentine Defense Minister Nilda Garre to discuss the situation in Haiti. One editorial called the ten Americans' attempt to take Haitian children a case of trafficking in persons. Several reports covered former President Bill Clinton's visit to Haiti, with most describing Haitians as ??????sleeping in the outside?????? and demanding more tents and assistance. End summary. U.S. TROOPS WILL STAY IN HAITI "AS LONG AS NECESSARY" -------------- ¶2. Largest circulation Clarin (2/7) quoted U.S. Army Col. Gregory Kane, Director of U.S. Joint Task Force Haiti operations, that U.S. troops will stay in Haiti "as long as necessary." The article contrasted these remarks with Doctors Without Borders' complaint about U.S. troops hindering the arrival of food and medicine for Haiti and the upcoming UNASUR meeting. On 2/8, the paper highlighted that the February 9 UNASUR summit in Quito is aimed at finding a long-term cooperation strategy in Haiti rather than an emergency aid plan, and that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez confirmed he would attend. http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/02/06/um/m- 02134831.htm ¶3. Leading Clarin (2/6) and centrist radio station Radio Uno reported on an anti-U.S. demonstration staged against the U.S. military presence in Haiti. In Part One of a two-part side-box on Haiti, Clarin quoted a spokesperson of one of the leftist groups staging the demonstration, who criticized the Argentine government for participating in the ??????occupation of a brother country." ¶4. In Part Two of the side-box, Clarin reported that the Ambassador met with Argentine Defense Minister Nilda Garre to discuss the situation in Haiti, conveying U.S. praise for the Argentine Army Blue Helmets in Haiti. THE TEN AMERICANS ARRESTED IN HAITI: A TIP CASE? -------------- ¶5. Two papers reported on the case of the ten Americans arrested in Haiti. An editorial in daily-of-record La Nacion (2/8) stated, "The attempt to get hold of Haitian children with the excuse of arranging an adoption unveiled another case of trafficking in persons (TIP)." The editorial claimed that "the children at issue, between 2 and 14 years old, were not orphans and some of them even begged to be allowed to return with their parents." It also quoted the Haitian authorities, "It was not an adoption attempt but a plain case of trafficking or robbery of children." According to centrist Perfil newspaper (2/6),Secretary Hillary Clinton said she would not intervene in favor of the ten Americans arrested in Haiti. http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1 230653 DEMANDS FOR BILL CLINTON IN HAITI -------------- ¶6. Perfil, conservative La Prensa, pro-government, left-of-center Pagina 12 and state-owned Telam wire service (2/6) reported on former President Bill Clinton's visit to Haiti. Most described Haitians "sleeping in the outside," while all reported that 200 Haitians asked former President Clinton for more tents and assistance. http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/sociedad/3- 139723-2010-02-06.html To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires MARTINEZ