15 February 2007
U.S. Officials Seek Stronger Relations with Argentina
Call Argentina strongest U.S. partner in hemisphere on proliferation issues
Washington -- A top U.S. diplomat expressed optimism that U.S. relations with Argentina will improve “quite significantly” in the coming months, following meetings with Argentinean officials in Buenos Aires.
"Tom Shannon and I came to Argentina because our government has a very deep and sincere interest in strengthening our relations with Argentina. I think I can say that we were confirmed in our judgment that it was well worth it," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns said at a February 9 press conference with Thomas Shannon, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs.
Following meetings with Argentina's foreign minister and other senior officials, Burns expressed confidence that the United States can bolster already strong ties with the South American country.
"[W]e have, I think, the basis of a very good longer-term dialogue with the government," he said. "I can say we have a strong friendship that has the capacity of even becoming stronger and we are very grateful for the quality of the meetings, for the respect with which we treated each other in those meetings. ... I am optimistic this relationship is really going to improve quite significantly in the months ahead."
Burns said Argentina’s foreign minister, Jorge Taiana, and planning minister, Julio De Vido, will travel to Washington to meet with U.S. officials as part of this effort. He also said that already "there are lots of issues pertaining to the region and some global issues where our relationship with Argentina is about as close and supportive as it could be."
“In many ways,” Burns said, “Argentina is our strongest partner in the region on nonproliferation issues.”
In the International Atomic Energy Agency, Argentina is “a very active and very strong member voice of the international community on nonproliferation issues,” including concerns over Iran´s nuclear efforts, he said. It is the only country in the Western Hemisphere to participate in the Proliferation Security Initiative, and one of only two countries in the hemisphere participating in efforts to create international regulations and safeguards for port containers, Burns said. The Proliferation Security Initiative, announced by President Bush in May 2003, seeks to stop shipments of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems and related materials worldwide.
Because nonproliferation issues are “at the very heart” of U.S. foreign policy, “this is obviously an area of great interest to us,” he said. The United States and Argentina also are supporting the U.N. mission in Haiti, and Burns said the international community is grateful for Argentina’s contribution of troops.
The under secretary said topics discussed with Argentine officials included investment in biofuels, as well as incentives for trade and investment in other areas. He said that President Bush will not be able to travel to Argentina during his upcoming visit to Latin America, but indicated that omission from his itinerary should not be misinterpreted.
"Tom and I came here for one reason: to express our interest in a better relationship," he said. "So we hope, I think that signal has been seen by the government."
A transcript of the press conference is available on the State Department Web site.
(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
