Cablegate: Media Reaction; Argentine President Kirhcner to Mexico; Uk

VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1472/01 2121643
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 311643Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8781
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001472

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, I/GWHA, WHA, WHA/PDA, WHA/BSC,
WHA/EPSC
CDR USSOCOM FOR J-2 IAD/LAMA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION; ARGENTINE PRESIDENT KIRHCNER TO MEXICO; UK
PM GORDON BROWN TO THE US; PRESS FREEDOM RESTRICTIONS IN ARGENTINA,
VENEZUELA, ECUADOR AND BOLIVIA; 07/31/07

1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Key international stories today include the visit of Argentine
President Kirchner and First Lady and Senator Cristina Kirchner to
Mexico and the signature of a strategic deal between Argentina and
Mexico; UK PM Gordon Brown's trip to the US and his meeting with
President Bush; and prevailing restrictions on press freedom in
Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia.

2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS

- "The Kirchners reach a future deal with Mexico"

Mariana Veron, on special assignment in Mexico, DF, for
daily-of-record "La Nacion," writes (07/31) "... Both presidents
signed a Treaty of Strategic Association, which, due to the
deadlines established, will only be carried out by the next
Argentine Government... As a matter of fact, it was Senator Cristina
Kirchner who advanced the idea of approaching Calderon, which
clearly showed what her foreign policy would be like if she took
office - less dependence on Brazil and greater world opening...

"The visit of the presidential couple was a political gesture for
the region. The (Argentine) Government) wants its alliance with
Mexico to put a brake on Brazil, on which Argentina's economy
largely depends.

"Mexico is experiencing something similar in its relationship with
the US. Hence it is advisable for it to approach Mercosur, although
it may be only flirting. According to sources from the Mexican
government, (Felipe) Calderon has sought to approach the Southern
countries since taking office and he has found a key partner in
Argentina."

- "A strategic game"

Nilvia Naishtat, political columnist of leading "Clarin," writes
(07/31) "Kirchner's invitation to Mexico to join Mercosur seems to
be part of a strategy that consists of diluting Brazil's power in
the region. Kirchner also invited Venezuela.

"It is true that being a NAFTA member, Mexico finds it difficult (to
join Mecosur). However, according to expert Diana Tussie, when you
feel like it, you always come up with beneficial partnerships.

"Mexico is a strong economy, it has reached deals with more than 60
countries and several companies today promote the bilateral
relationship (between Mexico and Argentina), ranging from Techint in
Buenos Aires to Telmex in Mexico, DF."

- "Stigma"

Paula Lugones, international columnist of leading "Clarin," writes
(07/31) "The purpose of Gordon Brown during his first visit to the
US was getting rid of the 'lap dog' stigma, or Tony Blair's
submission to the Bush administration's dictates.

"However, the big challenge was doing it without damaging the
historic alliance between both countries. He did not kick off the
board, it is true, but he ranged from nice public gestures to a
private claim for the UK's withdrawal from Iraq. In this way, Brown
is already creating his own style, which is closer to the real
politik rather than the messianic attitude of his transatlantic
counterpart."

- "Intolerance towards the media"

Daily-of-record "La Nacion" editorializes (07/31) "During Senator
Cristina Kirchner's recent trip to Spain, she excluded Argentine
journalists from certain activities and, as has already happened
during recent trips, she only granted interviews to the foreign
media. Sometimes, she did not take questions that she seemingly
considered inopportune. In some other cases, she turned her back on
questions emerging from responses she had already given...

"... Other countries are also going through a similar situation. In
line with Kirchner's complaints, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa
has said that 'the media should change because they have a big dose
of mediocrity, corruption and created interests.' After having
cancelled RCTV's license, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has now
threatened to do the same with RCTV International if it refuses to
air official TV. Bolivian President Evo Morales does not have a
better relationship with the media.

"... Information should not be limited to friendly journalists and
media, except if one wants to alter the basic rules of freedom,

democracy and harmony."

To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires

WAYNE

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