US embassy cable - 04BUENOSAIRES3186

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DELIVERY OF ARTICLE 98 DEMARCHE TO ARGENTINA

Identifier: 04BUENOSAIRES3186
Wikileaks: View 04BUENOSAIRES3186 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Buenos Aires
Created: 2004-11-12 20:33:00
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Tags: KJUS MARR PREL AR KICC ARTICLE 98 DEMARCHE
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.


 
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 003186 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2014 
TAGS: KJUS, MARR, PREL, AR, KICC, ARTICLE 98, DEMARCHE 
SUBJECT: DELIVERY OF ARTICLE 98 DEMARCHE TO ARGENTINA 
 
REF: STATE 237228 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Lino Gutierrez for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
 1.  (C) Ambassador Gutierrez delivered on November 12 the 
Article 98 talking points from reftel to the Argentine Under 
Secretary for Foreign Policy Roberto Garcia Moritan. 
 
SIPDIS 
Ambassador Gutierrez underscored the importance of Article 98 
agreements in our bilateral relationships and noted we 
currently have 96 such agreements worldwide.  He said 
obtaining an Article 98 agreement with Argentina remained a 
priority for both the Embassy and the Administration and that 
this would be a topic of major importance in Garcia Moritan's 
visit to Washington next week for the U.S.-Argentina pol-mil 
bilats.  Regarding potential pressure on Argentina from EU 
countries not to enter into an Article 98 agreement, the 
Ambassador pointed out that this was a bilateral issue 
between our countries designed to protect our mutual 
interests. 
 
2.  (C) Ambassador Garcia Moritan acknowledged the importance 
of reaching an accommodation with us and reiterated 
Argentina's desire to continue discussions on a possible 
agreement.  He opined, however, that the current political 
dynamic between President Kirchner and the Argentine congress 
(where Kirchner lacks a strong personal support base) made an 
Article 98 agreement problematic for the present.  Garcia 
Moritan felt that when Kirchner solidified his own 
constituency in Congress (which he is convinced will occur in 
next year's legislative elections), a mutually acceptable 
agreement protecting both U.S. and Argentine interests could 
be reached. 
 
3.  (C) Comment: The good news is that Argentina understands 
the importance we attach to reaching an Article 98 agreement 
and its importance to expanded military cooperation with us. 
Garcia Moritan's commitment to continued discussions on the 
issue was welcome even if his placing the blame for lack of 
progress on Congress was dubious.  Garcia Moritan's visit to 
Washington next week will provide an excellent opportunity 
for senior leaders to reinforce once again the importance we 
attach to a successful conclusion of these discussions.  End 
Comment 
GUTIERREZ 

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