Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08BUENOSAIRES1427, Argentina: American Chamber Describes Investment

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.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

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. #08BUENOSAIRES1427.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08BUENOSAIRES1427 2008-10-17 12:33 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Buenos Aires
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1427/01 2911233
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171233Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2261
RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001427 
 
USDOC for 4321/ITA/MAC/OLAC/PEACHER 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD ECON WTRO AR
SUBJECT: Argentina: American Chamber Describes Investment 
Challenges, Opportunities to WHA DAS McMullen 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
1. (SBU) As the American Chamber of Commerce in Argentina celebrates 
its ninetieth anniversary, member company reps noted to visiting WHA 
DAS McMullen their long and successful tenures in Argentina's 
historically volatile economic environment.  U.S. companies remain 
broadly profitable, and a number are actively expanding their 
operations here, including Staples and Monsanto.  However, company 
reps noted serious risks to their existing investments, including 
high inflation, energy restrictions, controversial taxation 
measures, the short-term focus of government policies, and lack of 
IPR law enforcement.  Company reps commented they could be doing 
even better, investing more, and creating more value in the market 
if the attitude of the GOA toward the private sector was more 
positive and proactive.  End Summary 
 
-------------------------- 
AmCham's 90th anniversary 
-------------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) WHA DAS Christopher McMullen met on October 3 with 
representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) 
business community in Argentina.  The meeting was hosted by AmCham 
CEO Alejandro Diaz, and included senior representatives of U.S. 
companies Dow, Esso, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Eli Lily, Johnson and 
Johnson, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Monsanto, Pfizer, Prudential, Staples 
and Teletech. 
 
3. (SBU) With AmCham's 90 anniversary celebration already well 
underway, a number of companies at the table, including Dow and Esso 
and Monsanto, noted their long tenure in Argentina's historically 
volatile economic environment.  Company reps commented to McMullen 
that they remain broadly profitable, but with serious risks to 
existing investments that include high inflation, energy 
restrictions, controversial taxation measures, dominant short-term 
focus of government policies, and lack of IPR law enforcement. 
Companies doing well noted that they could be doing even better, 
investing more, and creating more value in the market of the 
attitude of the GOA toward the private sector was more positive and 
proactive. 
 
---------------------------- 
IPR protection a major theme 
---------------------------- 
 
4. (SBU) Pharmaceutical majors Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Monsanto, 
and Pfizer highlighted ongoing IPR concerns, including patent 
processing backlogs, the GoA's poor record on protecting data 
exclusivity, poor enforcement of existing IPR protection laws, and 
no support for the Patent Cooperation Treaty.  While saying they 
appreciated the GoA's creation of a stand-alone Science and 
Technology Ministry, they underscored the new Science Minister's 
lack of political influence, the fact that the Health Minister does 
not care to discuss issues of interest to pharmaceutical companies, 
and the strong influence of  Argentina's domestic pharmaceutical 
lobby.  Pharmaceutical company reps were unanimous in expressed 
their thanks to th Embassy for its ongoing support on IPR issues. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
Labor, tax and energy issues slimming company profits 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
5. (SBU) Company reps believed that official GoA inflation 
statistics are significantly under-reported and noted that strong 
unions demanding regular cost of living wage increases were 
narrowing their margins.  Teletech, Staples and Prudential all cited 
labor issues as a constraint on continued high-growth.  Staples, 
while still growing fast (40% this year), lamented that paying taxes 
according to the law put them at a disadvantage vis domestic 
competitors who do not fully comply with the tax code.  Dow, which 
uses natural gas a primary feedstock for its chemical manufacturing, 
said is had become increasingly hard to maintain existing production 
levels, let alone expand, due to energy restrictions.  During the 
austral winter months, Dow said its plastic production lines 
operated at only 40% of capacity. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Will investors stay or look elsewhere for growth? 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
6. (SBU) Monsanto called Argentina its third largest market in world 
for seeds.  Their government affairs rep stated that the company is 
working with the GoA on a new approach to increase royalties derived 
from seed production (currently only 10% of seeds used in Argentina 
are certified).  Monsanto reported new investment of $225 million 
($100 million this year; $125 million over the next 3-4 years) to 
expand corn seed production in Argentina.  However, when this US 
 
agriculture giant looks strategically at the region, Brazil and 
Paraguay are winning the race for new headquarters investment 
approvals. 
 
7. (SBU) Exxon-Mobil's Esso Argentina noted that, only six months 
ago, the company was considering leaving Argentina due to its 
frustration with an over-regulated energy market.  However, thanks 
in part to US Embassy assistance, Esso is better able to deal with 
Argentina's challenging investment environment and will soon be 
talking to the GOA about the possibility of expanding its upstream 
investments in Neuquen province. 
 
8. (U) This cable has been cleared by DAS McMullen 
 
WAYNE