MEDIA REACTION: IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM; 2/9/10; BUENOS AIRES

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000152 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 AR IR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM; 2/9/10; BUENOS AIRES SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Iran's announcement that it is enriching uranium to 20% was widely covered in Argentine newspapers, focusing on U.S. and French discussions in Paris over new sanctions. Articles contained quotes from top U.S. and French officials denouncing Iran's policies and renewing calls for the UN Security Council to approve new sanctions, despite continued opposition from China and other UN Security Council members. Additionally, conservative Ambito Financiero published an opinion from a former Argentine Deputy Foreign Minister stating "why it is urgent to stop Tehran." End summary. ¶2. Luisa Corradini, second-largest daily La Nacion's correspondent in France, covered Defense Secretary Gates' meeting with his French counterpart. Corradini writes that the U.S. "wants to take advantage" of France's presidency of the Security Council and pass new sanctions, but faces opposition from "emerging countries." While China's opposition is the "principle obstacle," Corradini notes Brazil "favors dialogue with Tehran" while Turkey "never hides its hostility towards new sanctions," suggesting it may come down to wild cards such as Nigeria, with Western diplomats "not knowing its position." http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1 231069 ¶3. Left-leaning, pro-government Pagina 12's correspondent in France also wrote an article stating that President Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy "could not be more in agreement" over condemning Iran's announcement. The article also covered Secretary Gates' visit and quoted his declaration that the only way to stop Iran is "through pressure." However, the article also notes that while Russia has now "put itself a little more on the Western side," China is still opposed to sanctions as it "would complicate things more." http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elmundo/4-1 39889-2010-02-09.html ¶4. Conservative financial daily Ambito Financiero printed an opinion article from former Argentine Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Moritan on "why it is urgent to stop Tehran." Moritan believes that Iran's announcement to enrich uranium to 20% is not a strategy to "improve negotiations" but rather a sign of "clear provocation." Moritan states that the "situation requires urgent [diplomatic] action," but notes that China needs to "weigh the risk of a larger confrontation with the U.S." if China does not support sanctions, and that Brazil and Turkey need to clearly state on "which side of the table they are." http://www.ambito.com/diario/noticia.asp?id=5 06982 ¶5. Largest-circulation daily Clarin, English-daily Buenos Aires Herald, and financial dailies Buenos Aires Economico, El Cronista, and Ambito Financiero printed newswires from the Associated Press (AP) and EFE about the international reaction to Iran's announcement. The newswires state that for the U.S. and France, Iran's announcement "marked the failure of negotiations" and the demand "to take the road towards economic and diplomatic sanctions." Additionally, a couple of the articles note that Iran's "rapid reversal" towards shunning diplomatic talks could be a "sign of agitation" in the government over the disputed elections last year and the Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on February ¶11. http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/02/09/elmun do/i-02136231.htm http://www.buenosairesherald.com/BreakingNews /View/24809 http://www.cronista.com/notas/220498-eeuu-y-e uropa-exigen-sanciones -contra-iran http://www.ambito.com/diario/noticia.asp?id=5 06981 To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires MARTINEZ