MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina reacts strongly to CIA report on possible instability

Taiana: CIA report was 'irresponsible, unfounded and immature'

The Argentine government summoned on Thursday the US ambassador in Buenos Aires to demand an explanation regarding a report from newly appointed CIA chief Leon Panetta which states that Argentina, given the current world crisis could face a serious economic situation and instability.

In a press conference Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Taiana said the CIA report which also referred to Venezuela and Ecuador in South America, was "irresponsible, unfounded and immature" and came from an organization of sad reputation. "This is a clear interference in Argentina's domestic affairs so we have summoned Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne on Friday to explain those statements", added Taiana. Panetta in his first contact with the press said that it was the CIA job to gauge the impact of recession in the world. "We have to see how this situation affects the economy, foreign policy of China, Russia and other countries". The new head of US intelligence said that the CIA is releasing a daily report on economic affairs and political impact of the current global slowdown. "This is not the vision about Argentina", pointed out Taiana. "We are surprised and disappointment with an agency which we do not understand why they have to interfere with us". From the Buenos Aires US embassy the public affairs officer said that Mr. Panetta's words were not intended to transmit concern about Argentina. Mara Tekach said that the impact of the global crisis is felt all over the world, including United States and "the list of countries which face serious economic difficulties because of the crisis is long". Ms Tekach added that Argentina and United States have agreed on the need for international coordination and cooperation as the best way to address, in a constructive way the current crisis. "Our two governments recently held bilateral exchanges to advance on the coordination". "We very much value Argentina's international efforts, including the process leading to the G-20 summit", underlined the US official.