Cablegate: Media Reaction; the Cia; Argentine Paris Club Debt

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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #2081/01 2961007
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231007Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9528
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL//SCJ2//
RULGPUA/USCOMSOLANT

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002081

SIPDIS

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

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OPRC KMDR PREL
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION; THE CIA; ARGENTINE PARIS CLUB DEBT
NEGOTIATIONS; ARMENIAN GENOCIDE; 10/22/07

1. SUMMARY STATEMENT

Weekend international stories include remarks on Tim Weiner's book
on the CIA; Argentine Paris Club debt negotiations and the need for
IMF reform; and implications of the US Congressional statement
acknowledging the Armenian genocide.

2. OPINION PIECES AND EDITORIALS

- "The CIA ashes"

Daily-of-record "La Nacisn" carries an op-ed story by prestigious
writer Toms Eloy Martnez, who opines (10/20) "No one knows how
much damage CIA agents and directors have done to world peace...
That damage is obviously more than what we know but less than what
we'll get to know when its omnipotence fades away with which it
decided on human lives and accomplice governments in every continent
since Harry Truman founded it in 1947...

"... All its secrets, which were kept under lock for more than six
decades, have just been published in an overwhelming and shivering
investigative book - "Legacy of Ashes; The History of the CIA," from
Tim Weiner, one of The New York Times' correspondents in Washington
and perhaps the best talented US journalist on intelligence issues.

"... Out of every sprout of fear, the CIA obtained benefits that
allowed it to purchase more consciences.

"... One of the CIA's most disastrous fiascos was having convinced
the Bush administration that the Hussein regime was manufacturing
chemical weapons and WMD. While all evidence indicated otherwise,
Bush's aides did not need arguments. They were already sure that
things were like that. The president disliked Hussein ever since the
CIA blamed him for a conspiracy to murder his family in 1993.

"... If the CIA is defeated by omnipresent computing systems that
have an unparalleled efficacy on conspiracy and espionage matters,
just a few will be sorry for it."

- "Negotiating with the IMF in the framework of the institution's
weakness"

Ana Barsn, leading "Clarn's" Washington-based correspondent, writes
(10/21) "New IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn's
willingness to find a formula that will allow Argentina to start
negotiating its Paris Club debt without a formal IMF arrangement is
taking place in the context of the IMF's current feeble condition.

"With its legitimacy and funds jeopardized, the IMF is today very
weakened. US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson acknowledged the
seriousness of the situation when he said that profound reforms are
indispensable to 'prevent its members from distancing themselves
from this key global institution.' 'The IMF financial situation has
become unsustainable.' 'A lot of attention is paid to the IMF new
income,' although 'an equally important part of the solution would
consist of sharply reducing expenditures.'

"Last week, developing countries launched a real offensive to have
more say at the IMF. Lula accused the IMF of being an institution
for the wealthy. Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega blamed it
for not having done enough to prevent the US real estate crisis.
Argentine Economy Minister Miguel Peirano followed suit.

"As soon as Dominique Strauss-Kahn takes over, his big challenge
will be implementing IMF reform. However, the turbulence will not
disappear overnight. Brazil, India, China and South Africa have
already started to coordinate the next steps of the rebellion, which
could favor Argentina... "

- "The IMF wink to Argentina's Paris Club debt negotiations"

Jorge Velzquez, on special assignment in Washington DC for leading
"Clarn," writes (10/22) "Argentina received a new IMF signal of
progress towards its Paris Club debt re-negotiation. The next IMF
managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, confirmed he is willing
to 'cooperate' in seeking a more flexible mechanism than traditional
deals to overcome the Paris Club's demands for (debt)
renegotiation.

"... Strauss Kahn exchanged the promise to help Argentina for the
vote at the IMF Board to get elected. Now that he obtained it,
Argentines are going to his office to remind him his commitment.

"... IMF support for Argentina is not an isolated event. It would be
some reflection of the change in mentality that Strauss Kahn wants
to implement at the IMF. This could include providing developing
countries with more representation, increasing their quota

percentages at the IMF Board... Strauss Kahn publicly expressed his
interest in granting Latin America greater 'weight' at the IMF."

- "The US, Turkey and the Armenian genocide"

Leading "Clarn" editorializes (10/20) "A statement passed by the
influential US Congress Foreign Relations Committee against the
genocide of the Armenian people, which committed between 1915 and
1923, has unleashed the most serious crisis in the US-Turkish
relationship.

"While President George W. Bush rejected the congressional
statement..., this was not enough - the Turkish government took
offense, withdrew its ambassador to Washington and threatened to
take retaliation, which could also include its intervention in
Northern Iraq.

"The denial of such abominable and internationally acknowledged
historic fact still generates tension...

"The issue harasses the US foreign policy, which used reasons of
principles to justify its military interventions. It had
international support and legality in the case of the Balkan war but
it did not in the case of Iraq.

"It is worthwhile to recall that no military force was able to
prevent the killings and genocides occurred during the 20th century.
The acknowledgement, condemnation and punishment of crimes against
humanity are a necessary road towards preventing new genocides."

To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our
classified website at:
http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires

WAYNE

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