Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ASUNCION1108
2005-09-02 11:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:  

PARAGUAY: ADDRESSING ANTI-U.S. RHETORIC

Tags:  PREL PGOV MARR PINR IZ PA 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001108 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PINR IZ PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: ADDRESSING ANTI-U.S. RHETORIC

REF: A. ASUNCION 1075

B. ASUNCION 1048

C. ASUNCION 1046

Classified By: Ambassador John F. Keane for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001108

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PINR IZ PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: ADDRESSING ANTI-U.S. RHETORIC

REF: A. ASUNCION 1075

B. ASUNCION 1048

C. ASUNCION 1046

Classified By: Ambassador John F. Keane for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Sept. 1 DCM told Patria Querida Party Vice
President Daniel Codas that the USG objected to disrespectful
and inaccurate statements about U.S. policy by its
legislators. Codas denied that PQ had changed its basically
pro-U.S. stance but agreed that some legislators had crossed
the line in their criticism of SecDef. He agreed to pass our
message on to party leaders. A conspiratorial and
transactional culture and immature political system can lead
to exaggerated skepticisms of U.S. action, even among our
friends. End Summary.


2. (C) September 1 DCM asked Patria Querida (PQ) party VP
Daniel Codas to explain recent anti-U.S. statements by his
party,s legislators (reftels),protesting their
disrespectful tone and inaccurate content, and asking if they
reflect a reorientation of PQ,s centrist, reformist
orientation. Examples include Deputy Lacognata,s calling
SecDef a "war criminal," Deputy Acha,s openly criticizing
the visit on the Congressional floor, Senator Mendoza de
Acha,s call for a formal explanation of SecDef,s visit and
caution that supporting U.S. policy was dangerous for
Paraguay, and Senator Duarte,s statement that "the U.S. is
only interested in oil and water resources" and SecDef visit
was "an embarrassment for the nation."


3. (C) DCM stressed that PQ was free to form and voice its
own opinions, but that the U.S. would judge the party by its
actions and wanted them to know of our concerns. Respectful
disagreement with U.S. policy was very different from calling
us war criminals; allegations that U.S. policy was to steal
oil or water from weak nations played into hysterical
misinformation campaigns unworthy of a serious party. In
addition, these comments showed lack of understanding of
bilateral relations and the reasons for SecDef,s visit.


4. (C) Codas said PQ remained a center-right party, but with
a significant leftist minority. A recent proposal to seek

observer (but not member) status within the Socialist
International was dropped when a PQ majority objected, he
continued, but PQ seeks good relations with parties across
the political spectrum. He denied that PQ had in any way
changed its basically pro-U.S. position, but admitted that
SecDef polarized the party. Some, such as Lacognata, were
committed leftists, unlikely to change and basically opposed
to U.S. foreign policy. Others such as Duarte, had leftist
tendencies accentuated by reaction to Iraq. Acha (a recent
IV) was young and bright, with leftist tendencies but worth
cultivating and subject to reason. Mendoza de Acha, he
stressed, had stated the PQ position, which was to: 1)
criticize GOP foreign policy in general as disoriented,
inconsistent, and dismally unsuccessful; 2) seek an
explanation as to why SecDef came; 3) warn of the angers
prompted by identifying with U.S. policies that could make
Paraguay a terrorist target.


5. (C) Duarte said PQ was wary of calls to abandon MERCOSUR,
whatever its failings; if the GOP had a logical plan to
improve ties to the U.S., that was fine, he said, but PQ
suspected that President Duarte was flailing around rather
than thinking strategically, and PQ would attack him for
that. On SecDef, he said that the most critical elements
within PQ had chosen to speak out, giving a false impression
of the party,s views. In addition, he acknowledged that
some crossed the line from legitimate disagreement to insults
and misinformation. He said he understood our message and
would pass it on.


6. (C) DCM concluded with an explanation of U.S. policy, the
reasons for SecDef,s visit, and an offer to answer PQ
questions whenever they arise. Reiterating that PQ was free
to voice its opinions, he stressed that the USG simply wished
to understand PQ,s stance and to request respect and
avoidance of misinformation which fueled anti-Americanism.
DCM mentioned that he had also raised the issue briefly with
PQ Senator Miguel Carrizosa and that the Ambassador would
raise it with PQ President Pedro Fadul. Codas said he
appreciated our direct approach. He suggested that:
follow-up with Deputy Lacognata would be a waste of time; he
would speak to Senator Duarte, who can be difficult, and
Embassy could follow-up later; a POL meeting with Senator
Mendoza de Acha to explain our views would be useful; further
contact with Deputy Acha is called for. He would brief PQ
leader Fadul.


7. (C) Comment: This issue demonstrates Paraguay,s
immature and dysfunctional political system and
conspiratorial culture. Most political parties stand for
little or nothing ideologically and tactical moves and
alliances dominate the scene. In addition, the lack of
sophistication and understanding of the basics of foreign
relations (even among the elite) foments the crassest of
conspiracy theories (e.g. the US is planning to steal
Paraguay,s water supply.) Even those who laugh at such
conspiracies are not beyond utilizing them for their own
agenda (nudging Brazil to be more supportive, for example.)
These factors and the "transactional culture" here (The US
must be after something secret) combine to heighten
suspicions of U.S. actions, even among our friends.
Ironically, Brazil and Argentina have badly overplayed their
hands in publicly humiliating the GOP by demanding an
explanation for SecDef,s visit; this temporarily put
nationalist sentiment on our side.
KEANE