Ambassador Wayne Meets with Foreign Minister Taiana

February 27, 2009

Tom Kelly, Ambassador Wayne and Jorge Taiana

On February 27 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Wayne met with Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana at the Minister's request to discuss recent statements by CIA Director Leon Panetta. 

Ambassador Wayne reiterated Assistant Secretary Shannon's statement indicating that the CIA Director's remark was not an expression of U.S. Government views about Argentina.  The Director simply reported comments made to him by a foreign official.

The two diplomats agreed that this episode should not affect the important U.S.-Argentine agenda, which is focused on areas of critical importance, including the upcoming G-20 summit and the Summit of the Americas. 

They noted that Argentina and the United States agree on the need for international coordination and cooperation as the most constructive way to address the global economic crisis.  The Argentine and U.S. governments have recently held high-level bilateral exchanges to advance this coordination, and the U.S. government values Argentina's participation in international efforts to contain the crisis, including in the G-20 process.

Ambassador Wayne emphasized that the United States values Argentina's role in the region as well as in the G-20 process, and its partnership with our government in cooperating on our many areas of joint interest.