Cablegate: Argentina: Formosa Governor Concerned About Border With

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1664 3401138
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051138Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2639
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001664

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EAGR SNAR PHUM AR PA
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: FORMOSA GOVERNOR CONCERNED ABOUT BORDER WITH
PARAGUAY

Ref: Buenos Aires 1055
1. (SBU) Summary: Peronist Gildo Insfran, Governor of Argentina's
northeastern province of Formosa, discussed with Ambassador Wayne on
November 20 his views regarding economic development, renewable
energy, the challenges of cross-border security, and the status of
Formosa's indigenous population. He was particularly concerned
about increased drug trafficking across Formosa's border with
Paraguay. The Governor was accompanied by his economic adviser and
private secretary, Daniel Giuliani, and by the province's Minister
of Public Works & Services, Jorge Ibanez. End Summary
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Economy and Alternative Energy
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2. (SBU) The Governor opined that although Formosa is "doing well,"
he is concerned about how an economic crisis in the largest economy
in the world might affect a developing country like Argentina and
his province, in particular. He relayed that Formosa's economy is
based on cattle-ranching, cotton cultivation and other agriculture,
but noted that they are also focused on producing biofuels, such as
ethanol and bio-diesel. The Governor relayed that in 1999, the
province launched the "petroleum plus" project, which focuses on
petroleum exploration, exploitation, and refining. The Governor
touted the merits of bio-ethanol, remarking that the sugar cane
needed for ethanol thrives in the province's moist soil. The
Ambassador said Argentina and the U.S. will be working closely
together in an alternative energy working group in the wake of the
agreement signed in July 2008 during A/S Shannon's bilateral
consultation visit (reftel).
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Challenges of Cross-Border Security
-----------------------------------
3. (SBU) The Governor cited security concerns, particularly drug
trafficking, along the long, porous border with Paraguay, and noted
the province was working with officials in Paraguay to address the
problems. He suggested that drug trafficking had increased in
Argentina but said he did not have actual statistics showing this.
He added that the province had imported a U.S. unmanned aerial
vehicle to assist with aerial patrols similar to the U.S. border
patrols along the Mexico border, highlighting that it is the only
program of its kind in South America. The Ambassador encouraged the
Governor's counter drug personnel to reach out to Embassy's DEA
section.
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On Formosa's Indigenous
-----------------------
4. (SBU) The Governor praised his province's treatment of its
indigenous population, noting that with only 600 thousand
inhabitants province-wide, there is plenty of land for all. He
asserted that the indigenous do not protest over land because they
have it, remarking that in the district of Ramon Lista, 95 percent
of the population is aboriginal. He added that Formosa has an
aboriginal law, offers bilingual education from primary through high
school, and has an institute created to protect the rights of the
province's three indigenous groups. He proudly noted that the
province has one indigenous national deputy.
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Biographic Information
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5. (SBU) A steady supporter of Nestor and Cristina Kirchner's
administrations, Insfran was re-elected in 2007 as Formosa Governor
for his third consecutive term. He received 75% of the vote, far
above his closest competitor, the Radical candidate Gabriel
Hernandez who obtained 17% of the vote. Insfran was first elected
Governor in 1995 and ran for reelection in 1999 due to an amendment
of the provincial constitution. A subsequent amendment of the
constitution did away with term limits, thus allowing Insfran to run
and win the gubernatorial seat for the third consecutive time.
Previously, Insfran had served two terms as Vice-Governor of
Formosa, beginning in 1987. Prior to that, he had served as
provincial legislator for the 1983-1987 term.
6. (SBU) A veterinarian by training, Insfrn was born in Laguna
Blanca, Formosa, in 1951. He is divorced from Teresa Baldus, with
whom he had two daughters and one son. Their 17 year-old son
committed suicide in 2003.
7. (SBU) Comment: The Governor was warm and friendly with U.S.
officials and expressed his support for increased collaboration
between his province and the U.S. Embassy.
WAYNE

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