Hernan Etchaleco: Argentina backs US retaliation

Yesterday, President Fernando de la Rua told US President George W. Bush that he supported the decision to attack Afghanistan in retaliation for the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. De la Rua also repeated Argentina’s commitment to offer “humanitarian aid," Communications Under Secretary Juan Pablo Baylac said.

Baylac said that US Secretary of State Collin Powel phoned De la Rua yesterday “before the beginning of the attacks” to let him know about US military actions against Afghanistan. Baylac also advised that Bush expressed his gratitude for the humanitarian aid offered by Argentina and other nations all over the globe.

De la Rua will fly today to Brazil to meet with President Fernando Enrique Cardoso to analyze regional security policy after the US attack. In Chile, President Ricardo Lagos stated that he had several phone conversations with other Latin American leaders to reach a common regional position on the international crisis.