Argentina Propaganda - Falkland Islands: “British sovereignty over the Islands as such, is not accepted by the European Parliament”

“British sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands as such is not accepted by the European Parliament”, according to a visiting delegation of EU lawmakers who met with their Argentine peers in Buenos Aires.

The Falklands issue was brought up by Senator Daniel Filmus, head of the Foreign Affairs committee in the framework of a meeting with a delegation from the EU Commission for relations with Mercosur countries, headed by MEP Luis Yañez Barnuevo from Spain.

Senator Filmus as part of the talks on the stalled Mercosur/EU cooperation and trade agreement suggested to his peers that an additional effort to help Argentina establish a bilateral dialogue with the UK on the Malvinas issue would be very positive for the whole range of issues.

“To advance in the strengthening of the accords it would be beneficial if the EU would commit itself to help so that the UK sits at a table to dialogue bilaterally on the Malvinas question” said Filmus.

He added that the diplomatic path “is the only path we conceive and we stress this position in support of dialogue in all the international forums we participate”.

Senator Filmus claimed that the UK is taking advantage of the dispute to ‘militarize’ the South Atlantic and to extract natural resources that belong to the region.

“There is a growing consensus related to this issue and it’s that both sides must sit to discuss it. Militarization and extracting natural resources has implications not only for territorial sovereignty and integration but also economic for our region”, underlined Senator Filmus.

It was then that MEP Yañez Barnuevo and head of the EU delegation ratified that for the European Parliament “British sovereignty over the (Malvinas) Islands as such, is not accepted”.

However the MEP and his colleagues, Jean Pierre Audy, Josefa Andres Barea y Mario Pirillo asked about the seizure last year of YPF from Spain’s Repsol.

Senator Sonia Escudero said that the reasons to advance over 51% of YPF shares “was directly related to the fact that production and reserves of oil and gas under the Spanish administration had collapsed over 40%, while 100% profits were distributed and debts had also ballooned”.

“This caused serious energy provision difficulties for Argentina, and thus the decision”, added Senator Escudero.

Finally the Argentine lawmakers called for a recovery of the favourable climate that has always signalled relations with the EU, although expressing some apprehensions.

“We observe certain aggressiveness from the EU and some of its member states against Argentina, following the decision to nationalize YPF, which is contrary to the historical links and friendship between the two regions”, admitted Senator Escudero.

Lanata claims 80% of media in under Argentina government control for propaganda purposes

 Argentine journalist Jorge Lanata who has won Spain’s Television Iris Award, claims that ‘80% of Argentine media is in the hands of government (President Cristina Fernandez)” which are used as “instruments of propaganda”.

Lanata was given the award for his “standing exposure of the corrupt political class and his defence of the weakest”, according to the statement that supported the Spanish television academy most respectable prize.

“We’re going through a delicate moment and in a state of division that is promoted from the very centres of power”, argued Lanata interviewed by Spain’s government news agency.

His program “Journalism for all” aired by Channel 13 is currently in the heart of a major political controversy in Argentina following his exposure, with documents and witnesses of a web of companies belonging to former Argentine president Nestor Kirchner which had a close friend of his as the front man and who became the only public works contractor of the province of Santa Cruz, the Kirchner’s political turf.

Once his mentor became president and moved to Buenos Aires the former obscure bank teller Lazaro Baez became one of the richest men in the province with assets estimated in tens of millions of dollars and his companies absorbing most of public works now in the whole of Patagonia.

The organization of Kirchner and Baez allegedly has also been involved in money laundering from the skimmed public works through Uruguay to Panama, Belize, Caribbean islands and finally Switzerland.

Lanata regretted that the Argentine courts have yet to decide an investigation despite all the information and documents supplied. “I don’t think it is because the system is corrupt but rather that the Executive keeps advancing on the judicial branch”, said Lanata.

“Our job is not evangelization or teaching, it is just telling what we know and that we can prove and communicate it in the most creative form possible”, pointed out the Argentine journalist who added that “we must be as independent as possible. What gives me independence is public opinion: as long as they watch us that is what gives us power”.

Reference internet Lanata described it as the greatest invention since printing and “a great opportunity” for journalism. “Sure we are going through a crisis, but a good crisis. Internet is just starting and offers a great opportunity to experiment new things”.

Finally the Argentine communicator said that the world is changing and the role of emerging countries and their media will keep growing including in this area. “We are still submitted mostly to a North-South communication system, but in a near future we’ll be facing new paradigms and new ways of communicating”-

Lanata describes himself as la liberal with left wing inclinations. Liberal because he believes in democracy and left wing because of the injustices “I see and come across everyday”

Rioting and looting because the President is out of touch with the people, says Moyano

Argentine dissident organized labour leader Hugo Moyano claimed on Friday that President Cristina Fernandez is out of touch with the people and “the lackeys she has are scared of her and can only say stupid things”. Moyano’s strong words followed accusations by the government that he was behind the extended rioting and looting that hit several Argentine cities on Thursday and Friday.

Abal Medina from Government House blamed dissident unions

Moyano said the lackeys that surround the president can only say stupid and idiotic things  

Berni insists that the lootings were clearly organized and had political intentions

“I think the president is out of touch. She sends these blokes to say a lot of stupid and idiotic things. The government can’t pretend to be serious with these lackeys”, underlined Moyano without naming any official but in direct reference to cabinet chief Juan Manuel Abal Medina and Security Secretary Sergio Berni whom he described as a “devalued Rambo”.   

The teamsters boss said that the government’s officials were a pack of ‘bigmouths’ that can only repeat stupidities and this is because “the government has no answers, no replies so it then tries to play the role of the victim and accuses the workers”
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“These officials are acting as in the time of military dictatorships. They accuse whoever they please and invite people to come and bash us. They are provoking people into violence, when in reality teamsters are victims because many of our lads had their cargoes stolen and were also beaten”, insisted Moyano.

The teamsters’ leader pledged that “these gentlemen will have to repeat what they are saying before court. They are constantly accusing and disqualifying the workers and the official media are scaring the people to make them think that we who represent workers are responsible for what is going on”.

“The Government created the conditions for the lootings, not workers” underlined Moyano.

Earlier on Friday Cabinet Chief Abal Medina said that the supermarket lootings and widespread violence in several cities across Argentina were linked to anti-government union leaders Hugo Moyano, Pablo Micheli and Luis Barrionuevo.

“In Campana, there is someone linked to the Teamsters union” stressed the cabinet chief during a ceremony at the Government House. “Violent people do not rest and seek to keep on putting a spoke in the wheel,” he added.

Berni in Bariloche, (where the looting started on Thursday) with 400 Border Guards patrolling the Patagonian resort said that the looting was ‘organized’ and ‘respond to political issues’, and then linked them directly to the dissident unions and their leaders such as Moyano and Pablo Micheli.

“They are isolated incidents clearly organized which attempt to distort social peace, and spoil the great moment Argentina is living” said Abal Medina who added “nobody was after food: they were after plasma TVs, LCD, electrical appliances and drinks”.

Asked to be specific about those responsible for organizing the incidents that spread to several provinces and major cities such as Rosario and metropolitan Buenos Aires, Abal Medina said that “the government of Neuquen pointed out to dissident groups from unions and other governors told us they had seen sectors linked to teamsters and the gastronomic union in the incidents”.

“We’re talking of people who clearly have political intentions”, affirmed Abal Medina.
 

“Madame President: pleas eaddress inflation and rampant crime” demands Argentine organized labour

Argentine dissident organized labour concentrated at the emblematic Plaza de Mayo and claimed the government of Cristina Fernandez was applying IMF recipes by halting wage hikes for workers and called on the Lady to address inflation and rampant crime.

 “This is no other than what the International Monetary Fund instructed Argentina at the time. This is an undercover austerity measure. When the IMF outlines the policies of those countries that subordinate themselves, the first thing it does is freeze salaries. And the Government has frozen and even reduced salaries” said organized labour CGT leader Hugo Moyano at the Wednesday rally next to Pablo Micheli from another once rival labour organization.

The two leaders, Moyano and Micheli walked down the centre of Buenos Aires followed by numerous columns of followers with flags and banners, and converged from different directions on to Plaza de Mayo. Small farmers associations adhered to the rally as so did some opposition political parties among which the most outstanding the Radicales.

An estimated 100.000 people marched and finally converged on Plaza de Mayo.

Regarding the 2013 midterm elections, Moyano said that ”we will have this fundamental tool of democracy, and us workers will vote for those who guarantee our rights. We can’t be wrong again! Don’t come to us with fantasies of an unfinished revolution”.

In 2011 President Cristina Fernandez was re-elected with a record 54% support and thirty points ahead of the runner-up.

Moyano then called on President Cristina Fernández to address inflation and crime rates. “Madame President, please address inflation and security which are the main concern of all Argentines”.

The demands by the high-profile labour union groups included wages, family pay packets, inflation, income tax rates and the owed state debt to the unions’ health insurance companies.

Miceli underlined the union of organized labour: “we started with a concrete action plan along different paths but now we are showing that things can be done together”.

“This rally is not against any government but in self defence and they are not going to have us out of the streets until dialogue is established”, added Miceli who insisted in claiming better salaries and a more fair taxing system.

The two labour leaders also called for an independent Justice. “We have a most respectful Supreme Court and this government wants to tread on it. The Court must annul the terrorist bill which is a threat for civil liberties and for unions’ rights”, said Miceli.

Likewise Moyano demanded that the government respects the court cases favouring old pensioners, who “have been denied justice by the government and like to dress up as the defenders of human rights, what an irony!”
 

Argentina - Temporary relief for Clarin Group; case delayed for another two months

Argentine media group Clarin SA was granted temporary relief on Tuesday from the government's effort to implement a media law that would force the conglomerate to sell some of its most profitable assets. 

 

Earlier Tuesday, it was announced that Federal Judge Horacio Alfonso accepted Clarin's request to appeal a ruling he made Friday that required the company to immediately comply with the law.

In his ruling, Judge Alfonso had also ordered an immediate end to an injunction protecting Clarin from the law's enforcement until courts have decided whether the law is constitutional. But by granting Clarin's appeal and sending the case to an appeals court, Judge Alfonso effectively suspended his own ruling, once again shielding Clarin from the law.

The development comes a day after Martin Sabbatella, head of a government media regulatory agency, notified Clarin that the government had begun the process of auctioning off some of Clarin's assets such as its cable-TV unit. Mr. Sabbatella said the process would last around 100 business days.

Legal experts say the appellate ruling may not come until February or March. Even then, the case will likely be appealed again by the losing side to the Supreme Court.

Only after the Supreme Court has ruled on the law's constitutionality will it be clear if and when Clarin has to comply with the law.

The dispute is part of an escalating battle between Clarin and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez who is trying to enforce a controversial three-year-old media law.

Cristina Fernandez says the law aims to create more competition in the media marketplace. In contrast, Clarin and many analysts say the government wants to muzzle the outspoken broadcaster and diminish the influence of critical press, which it claims wants to see her removed from office.

STATE TERRORISM CFK's Junta - Argentine government begins process to dismember Clarin media group

Argentina's government Monday began the process of auctioning off media licenses and related assets held by the media conglomerate Grupo Clarin SA. The move, which government officials say should take about 100 business days to complete, comes after a lower court judge ruled Friday that a three-year-old media law requiring Clarin to be dismantled is constitutional.

Early morning Cristina Fernandez administration official visited Clarin to inform them the process of auctioning licences had started

“We notified Clarin that the auction process has begun. The law is constitutional, and it is in full effect,” said Martin Sabbatella, who was appointed by Argentine President Cristina Fernandez to enforce the law.

Earlier Monday, Clarin appealed the ruling to a federal appeals court. In a statement, Clarin accused the government of violating other court decisions by starting the auction process.

Clarin noted the same federal appeals court recently said the company would have one year to comply with the law even it were found constitutional. Clarin also said that because it appealed the ruling, the decision automatically would be suspended until it has been confirmed or rejected by a higher court.

Marcela Basterra, a constitutional law professor at the University of Buenos Aires, said the government's action Monday was primarily political.

“The government is doing this for political reasons because, legally speaking, it has to wait for a decision on this matter from the appeals court before it can act,” Mrs. Basterra said. “In reality, this case is going to end up in the Supreme Court, and only then will it be resolved.”

Mrs. Basterra said the lower court's ruling isn't binding because it has been appealed. She said the Supreme Court eventually will have to decide whether the law is constitutional and how much time Clarin has to comply with it.

“The majority of constitutional scholars think the one-year period will come into effect only if the law has been definitively declared constitutional by the Supreme Court,” she said.

Mr. Sabbatella disagrees and has said repeatedly that the one-year divestment period has expired already, meaning the government is right to enforce the law immediately.

Monday's developments are the latest in an intense and public battle between Clarin and President Cristina Fernandez, who accuses the company of being a coup-mongering monopoly that tries to topple her government.

Cristina Fernandez: “no one is going to pressure me especially with bullying or thugs”

After the first national strike against her administration, Argentine President Cristina Fernández blasted the CGT and CTA-led protest claiming they appealed to “bullying” tactics and called on workers to defend the “economic development and inclusion model”.

 For the Argentine president “this was not a strike, it was an intimidation and a threat”  

“This wasn’t a strike no a picket but an intimidation and a threat” she assured and warned that no one is going to pressure her.

“No one is going to pressure me, especially with threats, bullying or thugs. These are not the leaders that Perón and Evita wanted,” she said in a rally honouring Sovereignty Day in Argentina.

Earlier in the day amidst the massive strike, President Cristina Fernández wondered on her Facebook account (Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner): “Does anyone want to go back to that Argentina with an economic model which was bread for just a few and hunger for everybody or almost everybody?”

The president continued on her message that though it was not aimed to anyone in particular; it appeared as a clear message to the umbrella unions holding the strike: “Because we all know that not all Argentines went through hunger in those days. Normally the first ones that feel the hunger are the working class after losing their jobs.”

“This is why I like to call all my fellow-workers to show some conscious and responsibility in order to defend not this government but this political project that has created more than 5.5 million job posts with the construction industry having a fundamental role.”

Meanwhile, in a statement to a local TV station, the Minister of Interior and Transportation, Florencio Randazzo, said that the strike organized by the union sector is an extortionist measure that is misplaced.

“However, it is not a strike in favour of the workers, as they want to pretend. It runs opposite to the interest of workers, because it affected thousands of people, who wanted to get to work,” Randazzo said, in direct reference to the over 200 roadblocks and pickets which virtually isolated the city of Buenos Aires.

Argentine military governor of the Falklands arrested for human rights violations

The military governor of the Falkland Islands during Argentina’s brief occupation of the archipelago in 1982 was detained for his alleged role in human rights abuses at a notorious torture center in the 1970s, prosecutors said Thursday.

General Mario Benjamin Menendez allegedly was head of a torture centre in 1975 during the “Operation Independence” in the province of Tucuman

Former Gen. Mario Benjamin Menendez was arrested at his home in Buenos Aires on Wednesday and transferred to a federal prison in Tucuman province, 1.300 kilometers north of Argentina’s capital.

The 82-year-old Menendez was briefly governor of the Falklands after Argentina occupied the Islands by force in April 1982. It subsequently lost control when British troops retook the Islands and the Argentine troops surrendered on 14 June 1982.

His arrest relates to ‘‘La Escuelita,’’ a torture center in Tucuman province that he allegedly helped run in 1975, the year before the military coup that ushered in Argentina’s 1976-1983 dictatorship, the attorney general’s office said Thursday. Prosecutors said he was head of the ‘‘Tactical Command Post’’ at the center.

A unit of the Marxist Cuban trained Revolutionary People’s Army, ERP, operated in the mountains of Tucuman in 1974, and the civilian government in power at the time ordered a crackdown on the group. The campaign was called “Operation Independence”.

Prosecutors say 1.507 suspects passed through the center between Feb. 10 and Dec. 18, 1975, part of a systematic campaign of repression against dissidents and leftists ahead of the coup.

From February to December 1975, thirty military units were involved in the operation including border guards and federal police which also helped to disband sugar industry unions and militant student organizations.

The operation was under the command of General Adel Edgardo Vilas and later by General Antonio Domingo Bussi, who died in jail in 2008 condemned for human rights abuses. But he was also a successful politician and was voted governor of Tucuman under democracy.

Besides Menendez, 21 other people have been arrested across Argentina in connection with the case. Among them is a cousin of Menendez, former Col. Jose Maria Menendez, who is under house arrest.

Another military officer arrested former Colonel Walter Saborido, was deputy governor candidate in Tucuman’s last elections running for a party called La Linea which supposedly rallied all those who somehow were involved in the “Operation Independence”. He owns a security company which employs 200 people.