The United States expressed its concern about the presence of a defendant for the attack on the AMIA at the inauguration of Ortega and demanded that Argentina have a solid economic program

The US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, raised with Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero the need for Argentina to present an economic program to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) “solid, that returns growth to the country” and questioned the presence of one of those accused of the attack on the AMIA at the resumption of dictator Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua, an event where the government of Alberto Fernández decided to be present.

This was revealed by the State Department spokesman, Ned Price, who provided the details of the conversations between the two officials, a view that contrasted with what was reported by the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which did not mention the proposal on the economic plan. “Blinken maintained that he strongly supports the negotiations with the IMF and aspires to a prompt positive resolution.”, was the vision conveyed by the press release from Palacio San Martín.

In contrast, the information released by the United States had a different content: “Blinken congratulated Argentina on its election as president of the United Nations Human Rights Council and thanked the opportunity to work with Argentina to support democracy and human rights in the Americas and beyond. The Secretary discussed Argentina’s negotiation with the International Monetary Fund and encouraged Argentina to present a solid economic policy framework that would return growth to the country”.

In addition, the State Department statement reported that at the meeting, the head of US diplomacy “expressed serious concern about the recent visit to Nicaragua by Iranian Vice President Mohsen Rezai, the subject of an Interpol Red Notice for aggravated homicide and damage in relation to the 1994 AMIA bombing, which killed 85 people in Buenos Aires.” And the statement highlighted that the two officials addressed “cooperation in efforts to bring to justice those suspected of complicity in the attack.”

Cafiero and Blinken met for just over an hour in Washington to analyze different aspects of the bilateral agenda, on key days for the negotiations of the national government with the Fund for the debt of 44,000 million dollars contracted with that multilateral credit organization during the administration of Mauricio Macri, in 2018. The conclave was held in the Thomas Jefferson room. During the meeting, Joe Biden’s key official told Cafiero that The United States “strongly supports a vibrant Argentine economy” and stressed that achieving this “will strengthen bilateral relations and Argentina’s leadership in the northern hemisphere and the rest of the region.”

“We look forward to Argentina taking office in the Human Rights Council so we can work together,” added Blinken, according to the video released by the State Department itself and which was prior to the off-microphone conversations. In this context, and according to the official images, Cafiero thanked the welcome and remarked that for the country “it is very important” that the meeting take place: “It is very important that we continue to strengthen the relationship with the United States. We look forward to working on a constructive agenda that includes human rights, climate change, disarmament and sustainable economic development.”

The report provided by Ned Price exposed the differences between what Washington and Buenos Aires were willing to report on what the content of the meeting had been. It is that in a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it was reported that Blinken and Cafiero “highlighted the excellent level of the bilateral relationship and the frank and fluid dialogue between the two governments” and that “they valued the principles, visions and shared interests , while they analyzed topics of common interest in the global and regional scenario”.

Another issue was the appointment of Argentina to chair CELAC and both confirmed that on January 21 they will attend the ministerial meeting called by Canada on Haiti.

“Cafiero conveyed that Argentina has embarked on a path that aims to consolidate macroeconomic stability and sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The Chancellor concluded that a message from the political authority to the Treasury is necessary to have the support of the United States in the International Monetary Fund and that, in this way, Argentina’s growth is not restricted “, summarized the portfolio directed by the former chief of staff.

And he completed: “Blinken maintained that he strongly supports the negotiations with the IMF and aspires to a prompt positive resolution. Likewise, he highlighted the macroeconomic growth rates presented by Foreign Minister Cafiero and stressed the importance of Argentina for the hemisphere and to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

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