Cablegate: Following Up with Argentina On U.S.-Eu Declaration

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0636 1341935
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131935Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1025
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0207
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0713
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000636

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN EU AR
SUBJECT: FOLLOWING UP WITH ARGENTINA ON U.S.-EU DECLARATION
ON PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

REF: (A) MADISON-WAYNE 5/9 E-MAIL (B) BUENOS AIRES

0566 (C) STATE 40380

1. (SBU) The Ambassador spoke May 9 and May 13 with Argentine
MFA U/S for Multilateral Policy Raul Ricardes to urge
Argentine co-sponsorship of the U.S.-EU declaration on
prisoners of conscience. Ricardes asked who else was
sponsoring. Per ref (A), the Ambassador noted there were 44
co-sponsors: 27 EU member states, 13 EU affiliates, plus
Honduras (awaiting formal instructions to sign), Israel, New
Zealand and Australia. Ricardes said the GOA was interested
and was talking to others in Latin America to see if they
would sign on, too. On May 13, the Ambassador again pressed
Ricardes, noting that this was a good way to signal
cooperation with the U.S. and Europe on a theme important to
the Foreign Minister and the President. He promised to check
where Argentina was in its contacts with others but
reaffirmed the MFA's interest in joining.

2. (SBU) Polcouns spoke earlier May 9 with Ricardes's chief
of staff, Sergio Cerda, who also indicated the Argentines,
before taking a position, were looking to see what other
sponsors beyond the U.S. and the EU would emerge.
WAYNE

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