C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 001042

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON
NSC FOR SUE CRONIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR KPKO PA HA SP
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY ON LATAM CONTINGENTS REMAINING IN HAITI
FOR THE LONG TERM

REF: A. STATE 149277


B. ASUNCION PA IIR 6 875 0057 05 (23 MAY 05)

Classified By: POL Chief James P. Merz for reasons of 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) On 8/17, PolOff delivered reftel demarche (ref A) to
MFA Americas Director Cynthia Filartiga and MFA International
Organizations Director Julio Peralta. Peralta advised that
Paraguay is still discussing with Spain the possibility of
equipment and materiel support for Paraguayan troops to join
the Spanish contingent participating in MINUSTAH (ref B). In
early July, the GOP sent a letter to the Spanish MOD
requesting such support. The GOP does not expect to receive
a response from the GOS until September, however, since "it
is vacation season in Spain."


2. (C) Separately, in a meeting with SECDEF Rumsfeld on
August 17th, Defense Minister Roberto Gonzalez described GOP
efforts to obtain assistance from Spain and appealed to the
U.S. for support. SECDEF reminded Gonzalez that the GOP's
decision to sign an Article 98 agreement would facilitate
delivery of assistance. ODC reps advised that the Embassy
was exploring avenues for assistance.


3. (SBU) Comment: The fact that Paraguay continues to pursue
support for Paraguayan troops to participate in MINUSTAH
suggests that the GOP agrees that Latin American Troop
Contributing Countries must remain steadfast about military
commitments to MINUSTAH. The Ambassador will raise the issue
in his next meeting with FM Rachid.
KEANE