

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09BUENOSAIRES153, ARGENTINA: FOREIGN MINISTER PREVIEWS ARGENTINA
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09BUENOSAIRES153.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09BUENOSAIRES153 | 2009-02-13 10:09 | 2011-03-14 07:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Buenos Aires |
Appears in these articles: http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1357238-evaluaron-echar-a-la-argentina-del-g-20 http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1357239-gestiones-ante-el-gobierno-para-pedir-un-cambio |
VZCZCXRO1303
PP RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG
RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC
DE RUEHBU #0153/01 0441009
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 131009Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3031
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BUENOS AIRES 000153
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/19
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EFIN AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: FOREIGN MINISTER PREVIEWS ARGENTINA
EXPECTATIONS FOR PROGRESSIVE LEADERS, G-20, AND T&T SUMMITS
REF: BUENOS AIRES 142
Classified By: Ambassador Wayne for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d).
¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador Wayne met with Foreign Minister
Taiana and Vice Foreign Minister Taccetti to exchange views
on how the USG and Argentina can work collaboratively in the
coming months as President Obama's administration defines its
priorities in the hemisphere. They noted that there were
many opportunities in the coming months for high-level
bilateral exchanges, including VFM Taccetti's upcoming trip
to Washington, the Progressive Leaders' Summit in Chile, the
G-20 in London, and the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad
and Tobago. Taiana expressed the GOA's hope that a
senior-level USG official would attend the Chile summit,
especially since the initiative began under former President
Clinton's administration.
¶2. (C) The FM also underscored the importance of the G-20
summit in developing a multilateral approach to resolving the
economic crisis and stressed the GOA's hope for a positive
Summit of the Americas. Taiana was upbeat on Argentina's
ability to weather the economic storm in the short term,
saying the world ""always underestimates Argentina."" He
cautioned, however, that ""the world needs this fixed quickly""
to avoid a deeper and longer global economic recession.
Privately, Taiana said he hoped a brief meeting between the
two presidents would be possible during the G-20 Summit, and
expressed his strong interest in meeting with Secretary
Clinton, perhaps on the margins of the April 6
Ministerial-level event on the Antarctic to which the
Secretary has just invited the Minister. End Summary.
Upcoming Opportunities for Dialogue
-----------------------------------
¶3. (C) On February 12, Ambassador Wayne met with Foreign
Minister Jorge Taiana to exchange views on how the USG and
Argentina can work collaboratively in the coming months as
President Obama's administration defines its priorities in
the hemisphere. They were joined by Vice Foreign Minister
Vittorio Taccetti, DCM, and Acting Polcouns (notetaker).
Taiana indicated that VFM Taccetti's visit to Washington next
week was an ""excellent preparatory meeting"" for eventual
contacts between senior USG and GOA officials that would
""likely happen at the G-20 Summit and the Summit of the
Americas."" The Ambassador agreed that this was an opportune
time to visit Washington and to enhance collaboration for the
two Summits.
¶4. (C) The Ambassador noted that Argentina's proposed
guidelines for the VFM's meeting with WHA A/S Tom Shannon
were good and proposed additional topics (pre-cleared with
WHA) for discussion, including: enhancing regional security
cooperation, future of the 3 1 dialogue, counternarcotics
cooperation; promoting progress on renewable energy and
climate change; exchanging views on Bolivia, Venezuela,
Ecuador, Colombia, Cuba and Haiti; bilateral economic issues;
and the future of the bilateral consultative process. Taiana
stated that these suggestions were fine, and reiterated the
GOA's interest in a bilateral meeting at the upcoming G-20
Summit and Summit of the Americas.
¶5. (C) Taiana then asked about the possibility of
senior-level USG attendance to the upcoming Progressive
Leaders Summit in Santiago, Chile. He noted that the UK's
Prime Minister Gordon Brown would attend as well as Brazil's
Lula and Spain's Zapatero and added that the Chile meeting is
an excellent opportunity to prepare for the subsequent G-20
Summit in London. He said that he was pleased that the
United States would attend again, especially since the
Progressive Leaders Summit was an initiative of the former
Clinton administration. The Ambassador noted that Washington
has not yet made a decision on who will attend.
The Kirchners' Fascination with President Obama
--------------------------------------------- --
¶6. (SBU) The FM confirmed the Argentine first couple's
ongoing fascination with President Obama. He said that
ex-President and First Gentleman Nestor Kirchner made his
remarks (reftel) to a Peronist political rally that Obama ""is
implementing the same policies we have been carrying out
since 2003"" just hours after watching televised coverage of
the President's February 10 speech on the U.S. economy in Ft.
Myers, Florida.
FM: We Need a Successful Summit of the Americas
--------------------------------------------- --
BUENOS AIR 00000153 002 OF 003
¶7. (C) Turning to the April Summit of the Americas in
Trinidad and Tobago, the FM stressed that it is ""important
that the Summit be a success."" At the same time, he
expressed his understanding that the GOA did not expect the
USG to have a fully formulated Latin American policy ready in
time for the summit. GOA officials did, however, hope for
some early indications of the new direction that President
Obama will give to U.S. policy. Referring to the 2005 Summit
of the Americas hosted by Argentina, Taiana joked that
Argentina has experience with ""combative"" summits and
stressed that it was in everyone's interest that the Trinidad
Summit be positive and forward-looking. (Taiana, as
then-Vice Foreign Minister, had the lead in organizing the
Counter-Summit of the Americas, which invited protesters to
an anti-Summit rally featuring Venezuelan President Chavez as
the keynote speaker.) He asserted that Bush's emphasis on
free trade and security had little resonance in Latin
America, particularly in Argentina since the country ""did not
have problems with terrorism and drugs at the time.""
¶8. (SBU) VFM Taccetti added that President Obama has an
opportunity to adopt a ""more cooperative"" approach to the
Americas. He acknowledged that the USG has by far the most
influence to define the regional agenda but that it was
important ""not to throw your weight around."" Taiana added
that Latin America would be more open to U.S. leadership if
it worked collegially, saying ""crises have a way of bringing
countries together.""
FM: World Must Avoid Protectionism
----------------------------------
¶9. (C) Turning to the G-20 summit in London on April 2,
Taiana opined that the focus should be on elements of common
ground, which in his opinion included an aggressive to get
the global economy out of a recession, the need for
solidarity towards the many millions affected by the global
slowdown, and what he called ""the tension between saving
domestic jobs and preserving international trade."" He said
that he understood that such tension exists in all countries
-- ""in times of crisis, countries take care of their own
first"" -- and suggested that the G-20 explicitly recognize
this fact of life. At the same time, he expressed concern
over the ""Buy America"" program and the potential for other
countries to adopt a protectionist stance. He acknowledged
that it would be difficult for countries to open their
economies now but, noting the lessons from the Great
Depression in the 1930s, insisted that protectionism would be
a disastrous ""political mistake.""
¶10. (C) Taiana mentioned Argentina's interest at the G-20 in
pursing reform of International Financial Institutions and
particularly the IMF so that they increased their emphasis on
financing infrastructure projects and de-emphasized policy
conditionality, as well as its support for cracking down on
tax havens to reduce tax evasion and capital flight. The
Ambassador noted that what was important was a constructive
process in which agreement can be found. A number of
countries, for example, will likely not favor the degree or
type of IMF reform Argentina is seeking but we should be able
to find common ground. Taiana said he agreed.
FM: Argentina Will Weather the Storm
-------------------------------------
¶11. (C) Taiana was upbeat on Argentina's prospects for
weathering the current economic storm, predicting that the
economy would grow in 2009 despite widespread predictions to
the contrary. As always, he said, ""the money stashed under
mattresses and in home safes"" would be Argentina's secret
weapon, bolstering consumption when it seems that domestic
liquidity had evaporated. The upcoming completion of several
large projects, including Argentina's ""Atucha 2"" nuclear
reactor and the expansion of the country's electricity grid,
would for example bolster energy supply and thus growth.
¶12. (C) The world ""always underestimates Argentina,"" Taiana
complained good-naturedly, noting that the country for years
has outperformed predictions of impending doom from the IMF
and ""The Economist"" magazine, which he attributed to
ideological hostility to Argentina's recent governments.
Despite the fact that the international financial community
still has not ""forgiven us"" for cancelling debts, Argentina
has consistently outpaced expectations, growing despite its
lack of access to foreign capital markets. Referring to his
conversation in Madrid with Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose
Antonio Garcia Belaunde earlier this week, Taiana noted that
Argentina, Peru, and many other countries in the hemisphere
have taken steps to ride out the crisis until the end of
¶2009. What concerns Latin governments, he said, is the
BUENOS AIR 00000153 003 OF 003
global economic crisis's prolongation beyond the end of this
year. ""The world needs this fixed quickly,"" he said.
Bilateral Meetings
------------------
¶13. (C) On the way out, Taiana (He asked to handle this very
quietly.) said we very much hoped that a bilateral meeting
(even if brief) between the two presidents could be held
during the G-20 Summit in London. He also said he very much
hoped to have an early opportunity to talk with Secretary
Clinton. In this context, he indicated that he understood
there would be an event which Secretary Clinton will host
April 6 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic
Treaty and said that he would work to rearrange his schedule
to attend in strong hope that even a short meeting with the
Secretary might be possible.
Comment
-------
¶14. (C) GOA officials, from President Cristina Fernandez de
Kirchner on down, are clearly ready for enhanced dialogue
with the USG and hope that the three upcoming summits result
in high-level bilateral meetings. The GOA shares our desire
for a positive outcome at the Summit of the Americas, even if
our definitions of ""success"" may differ. VFM Taccetti's
visit to Washington -- billed locally by the GOA as a coup
because it is the first policy-level discussion between State
Department and Latin American officials since the
inauguration -- gives us an opportunity to encourage
responsible and constructive GOA behavior at both the G-20
and the Summit of the Americas.
WAYNE