Cablegate: Media Reaction; U.S. Military Presence in Haiti; Tip;

VZCZCXYZ0013
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0150/01 0392013
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 082013Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0492
INFO RHMCSUU/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000150

SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, I/GWHA, WHA, WHA/PDA, WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC
CDR USSOCOM FOR J-2 IAD/LAMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KPAO KMDR PREL HA AR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION; U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE IN HAITI; TIP;
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE; 2/6/10 - 2/8/10; BUENOS AIRES

SUMMARY

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1. Haiti continues to make headlines in Argentina, focusing on
concerns of prolonged U.S. military involvement, trafficking in
persons and the need for more humanitarian assistance. Largest
circulation Clarin quoted U.S. Army Col. Gregory Kane, Director of
U.S. Joint Task Force Haiti operations, that U.S. troops will stay
in Haiti "as long as necessary." Clarin also reported on an
anti-U.S. leftist demonstration against the U.S. military presence
in Haiti, in part one of a two-part side-box overshadowing a report
on a meeting between the Ambassador and Argentine Defense Minister
Nilda Garre to discuss the situation in Haiti. One editorial
called the ten Americans' attempt to take Haitian children a case
of trafficking in persons. Several reports covered former
President Bill Clinton's visit to Haiti, with most describing
Haitians as ??????sleeping in the outside?????? and demanding more
tents
and assistance. End summary.

U.S. TROOPS WILL STAY

IN HAITI "AS LONG AS NECESSARY"

------------------------------

2. Largest circulation Clarin (2/7) quoted U.S. Army Col. Gregory
Kane, Director of U.S. Joint Task Force Haiti operations, that U.S.
troops will stay in Haiti "as long as necessary." The article
contrasted these remarks with Doctors Without Borders' complaint
about U.S. troops hindering the arrival of food and medicine for
Haiti and the upcoming UNASUR meeting. On 2/8, the paper
highlighted that the February 9 UNASUR summit in Quito is aimed at
finding a long-term cooperation strategy in Haiti rather than an
emergency aid plan, and that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
confirmed he would attend.

http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/02/06/um/m- 02134831.htm

3. Leading Clarin (2/6) and centrist radio station Radio Uno
reported on an anti-U.S. demonstration staged against the U.S.
military presence in Haiti. In Part One of a two-part side-box on
Haiti, Clarin quoted a spokesperson of one of the leftist groups
staging the demonstration, who criticized the Argentine government
for participating in the ??????occupation of a brother country."

4. In Part Two of the side-box, Clarin reported that the
Ambassador met with Argentine Defense Minister Nilda Garre to
discuss the situation in Haiti, conveying U.S. praise for the
Argentine Army Blue Helmets in Haiti.

THE TEN AMERICANS ARRESTED IN

HAITI: A TIP CASE?

-----------------------------

5. Two papers reported on the case of the ten Americans arrested
in Haiti. An editorial in daily-of-record La Nacion (2/8) stated,
"The attempt to get hold of Haitian children with the excuse of
arranging an adoption unveiled another case of trafficking in
persons (TIP)." The editorial claimed that "the children at issue,
between 2 and 14 years old, were not orphans and some of them even
begged to be allowed to return with their parents." It also quoted
the Haitian authorities, "It was not an adoption attempt but a
plain case of trafficking or robbery of children." According to
centrist Perfil newspaper (2/6), Secretary Hillary Clinton said she
would not intervene in favor of the ten Americans arrested in
Haiti.

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1 230653

DEMANDS FOR BILL

CLINTON IN HAITI

----------------

6. Perfil, conservative La Prensa, pro-government, left-of-center
Pagina 12 and state-owned Telam wire service (2/6) reported on
former President Bill Clinton's visit to Haiti. Most described
Haitians "sleeping in the outside," while all reported that 200
Haitians asked former President Clinton for more tents and
assistance.

http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/sociedad/3- 139723-2010-02-06.html

To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our

classified website at:

http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires
MARTINEZ

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