Cablegate: Argentina Supports Community of Democracies but Asks For

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1347 2702015
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 262015Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2147
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0246

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001347

DEPT FOR G JOAQUIN FERRAO AND DRL/MLGA LAURA JORDAN

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA SUPPORTS COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES BUT ASKS FOR
GREATER COORDINATION AND INFORMATION-SHARING

REF: A. SECSTATE 97313
B. 9/25/08 Gomez-Ferrao/Jordan E-mail

1. (SBU) Poloff raised reftel points with Soledad Capone in the
Argentine MFA's Office of International Organizations. Capone
indicated that Vice Foreign Minister Victorio Taccetti is currently
scheduled to participate in the September 26 Community of
Democracies (CD) meeting. She explained that Argentina is not a
member of the Convening Group, but has participated in the past in
what she called the CD's poverty and development working group.
Capone stated that, in principle, Argentina supports the CD, but is
concerned that there is no formal communication channel in which
members can be kept apprised of the CD's initiatives. For example,
Argentina's mission to the UN never received texts of
country-specific statements on Zimbabwe, Mauritania, Georgia, and
other countries, nor information that the Convening Group had
selected Lithuania as its new Chair. While Argentina does not have
any objections to Lithuania's selection, she expressed concern over
the lack of coordination and information-sharing about the CD's
activities. Capone stated that she hoped that this would improve
with the creation of a CD Secretariat in Poland.

2. (SBU) On NGOs, Capone stated that Argentina, in principle,
believes that NGOs should not be blocked from participating in UN
fora, but explained that Argentina is not a member of ECOSOC and
therefore, has not played a role in deciding which NGOs should be
granted ECOSOC consultative status. Although Argentina does not
have a position on this issue, she said it was an opportunity for
the GOA to study the matter further. She added that Argentina would
not oppose efforts by the CD to combat initiatives that would
silence NGOs and human rights defenders.

3. (SBU) On freedom of expression and internet freedom, Capone said
Argentina supports these freedoms. With respect to the Democracy
Caucus, she stated that Argentina has reservations, noting that
Argentina already belongs to GRULAC and the G-77 and will continue
to use GRULAC and G-77 positions as its point of reference for
negotiations in the UN.

KELLY

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