Cablegate: Argentine Government Expresses Solidarity with The

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DE RUEHBU #1315 2632231
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 192231Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2078
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001315

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER YM AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH THE
U.S. IN WAKE OF YEMEN ATTACK

REF: BUENOS AIRES 1272

1. (U) Argentine MFA U/S for Bilateral Affairs Ambassador
Vicente Espeche Gil contacted the CDA September 19 to convey
condolences for the September 17 terrorist attack on the U.S.
Embassy in Sanaa. The previous evening, at a reception
hosted by the CDA, several GOA officials expressed similar
sentiments.

2. (U) The MFA followed up September 19 with the following
press statement:

"The Government of the Argentine Republic manifests its
consternation and repudiation ofthe brutal terrorist attack
committed in the Republic of Yemen, on the morning of
September 17, against the Embassy of the United States of
America in Sanaa and profoundly laments the sorrowful toll of
victims."

3. (SBU) Comment: The Argentine MFA does not often comment on
events as far afield as those in Yemen unless Argentine
interests are directly affected, which makes this statement
exceptional. In sharp contrast to the harsh tone of the
MFA'S September 11 statement with its incendiary accusations
against the USG, the solidarity voiced in the September 19
statement may be a peace offering of sorts. In a possibly
related development, President Fernandez de Kirchner travels
to New York this evening, September 19. End comment.

KELLY

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