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Cablegate: Media Reaction; Iran; Free Trade Agreements; the Two

VZCZCXYZ0006
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #2017/01 2831510
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 101510Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9449
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002017

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; IRAN; FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS; THE TWO
KOREAS; 10/10/07

1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Major international stories today include implications of French FM
Kouchner's remarks on the Iranian threat; US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice supporting free trade deals; and the "historic"
reconciliation between the two Koreas.

2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS

- "Warnings to Iran"

Daily-of-record "La Nacisn" (10/10) editorializes "French FM Bernard
Kouchner has clearly and seriously explained the international
community's current concerns over Iran. Kouchner has said that the
Tehran regime is on the verge of obtaining uranium enrichment and
that this implies a military issue - the possibility of owning
nuclear weapons.

"... it is understandable, then, that the Iranian government is
increasingly urged to stop its race toward developing nuclear power.
It is also understandable that Iran's statement that it is only
pursuing peaceful nuclear development raises suspicion...

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"The urgent nature of the issue is evident from the French FM's
urging that the EU 27 member countries quickly impose new sanctions
on Iran...

"... US General David Petraeus, Commander in Iraq, has denounced
that Iran is attempting to establish some sort of 'Hezbollah' in the
Iraqi conflict.

"Under these conditions, one can understand the importance of the EU
High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier
Solana's remarks to the countries of our region that Iran could
hardly be included among 'the best relationships for Latin America,'
in clear reference to Bolivia and Venezuela..., Nicaragua..., and
perhaps Ecuador...

"It is opportune to insist on our endorsement of President Nstor
Kirchner's address to the UN General Assembly when he denounced
Iran's lack of cooperation in the AMIA case probe...

"We also take note of the Iranian Ambassador to the UN's statements
labeling the Argentine request as a sign of 'the great corruption in
the Argentine judicial system' and the 'poisoned' influence of
anti-Iran propaganda by the US and Zionism. However, we take it as
an ugly reminder of the close follow-up that Argentine diplomacy
should undertake regarding a regime that is willing to export
terrorism and make the State of Israel 'disappear.'

"Argentina has been committed to the existence of Israel since it
was founded in 1948. It has always maintained a close
relationship... Therefore, it would be positive to take FM
Kouchner's remarks on Iran as a warning that involves us more than
we think."

- "Rice asks Democrats to approve free trade deals in the region"

Ana Barsn, Washington-based correspondent for leading "Clarn,"
writes (10/10) "Consistent with the Bush administration's only focus
on the hemisphere, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended
yesterday FTAs with Colombia, Peru and Panama. She said that the
failure of the Democratic majority to pass the three Latin American
trade deals would be a tremendous blow to US efforts in the region -
'It would be a retreat from our responsibility of leadership and a
renunciation of our influence in the Americas.' She added that
defeat of the measures on Capitol Hill would feed the 'enemies of
democracy,' in reference to Hugo Chvez...

"Rice dismissed the 'turn to the left, about which we hear so much.'
In Rice's view, the true 'real revolution' in America is that led by
'responsible democratic leaders,' such as Michelle Bachelet, Lula da
Silva, Tabar Vzquez, Alvaro Uribe, Alan Garca, Felipe Caldersn
and Salvadorian Elas Antonio Saca. Rice did not include President
Nstor Kirchner among the leaders she mentioned, which is a sign of
the mistrust Kirchner still raises in Washington...

"... According to Congressional sources consulted by 'Clarn,' free
trade deals with Peru and Panama will very likely be approved, while
the trade deal with Colombia prompts more opposition. Democrats
blame the Uribe administration on the deteriorated human rights
situation and lack of protection of trade unionists.

"... Rice's speech clarified the US hemispheric trade strategy. She
recalled that the US has signed FTAs with ten Latin American
countries so far. All of this plus last weekend's popular
consultation in Costa Rica 'could pave the way for an indissoluble

range of trading partners from Tierra del Fuego to the Artic
circle.' Rice did not mention Mercosur, the toughest trade bloc to
deal with. An FTAA without Mercosur will hardly be established
unless the US manages to make (Mercosur) implode, and the desire
exists."

- "The historic deal between the two Koreas"


An editorial in leading "Clarn" (10/10) "The peace accord between
the two Koreas has started to close one of the few remaining
Cold-War confrontations, it has deactivated war escalation in the
extreme East and fuels hopes of integration among the dynamic
economies of the main Asian countries. In this case, diplomacy,
economy and culture prevailed over the strategic dogmas of regional
and global confrontation, aggressive nationalism and nuclear
threat...

"For all these reasons, the accord reached between the leaders of
both countries, Roh Moo Hyun and Kim Jong Il, is a historic
milestone - they committed themselves to 'permanent peace' instead
of the 1953 armistice and to starting a cooperative relationship.
Over fifty years ago, the main world powers waged their greatest
confrontation in the area. The division of Korea and the enclosure
of North Korea were two consequences of war that are still a burden
for the international community."

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

WAYNE

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