Cablegate: Florida Governor Meets Vp During Quick Visit to Argentina

VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #2279 3370912
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030912Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9816
INFO RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0928
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6598
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 3601
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 2405

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002279

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR 4332/ITA/MAC/OLAC/APEACHER
USDOC FOR 3134/USFCS/OIO/WH/MKESHISHIAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON OVIP PREL BEXP AR
SUBJECT: FLORIDA GOVERNOR MEETS VP DURING QUICK VISIT TO ARGENTINA

REF: RIO DE JANEIRO 622

1. Florida Governor Charlie Crist made a short visit to Argentina
on November 8 during a swing through South America. His delegation
included his Chief of Staff, George Lemieux; the Vice Chairman of
Enterprise Florida, Tom Kunz (CEO of Suntrust Bank Florida); the CEO
of Enterprise Florida, John Anderson; and the Senior Vice President
for International of Enterprise Florida, Manny Mencia. Ambassador
Wayne accompanied the Governor and his delegation to meet with
Argentine Vice President Daniel Scioli, who was recently elected to
a four-year term as Governor of the Province of Buenos Aires,
arguably Argentina's second most important elected office.

2. The meeting with Vice President Scioli was very productive.
Vice President Scioli explained that the Province of Buenos Aires
has one-third of Argentina's population, and produces over 30
percent of the national GDP. He expressed a strong interest in
strengthening economic and business ties between the province and
the State of Florida, and specifically inquired about what Florida
might be able to share with the province regarding waste treatment
and waste-to-energy programs. Governor Crist said that he would be
delighted to follow-up and send VP Scioli information and contacts
on those issues.

3. Governor Crist also invited VP Scioli to visit Florida, and
promised to bring a large trade delegation to Argentina in 2008.
FCS/Buenos Aires has already scheduled the mission, which will be
coordinated jointly by the Embassy and Enterprise Florida, for
November 19-22, 2008. Governor Crist pointed out that Argentina was
one of his State's top trading partners, and that Florida was the
top-ranked U.S. state in terms of trade and commercial relations
with Argentina.

WAYNE

© Scoop Media