PARAGUAY: CONSTRUCTION OF SENAD OFFICES IN PEDRO

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001514 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KCRM SNAR PA SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: CONSTRUCTION OF SENAD OFFICES IN PEDRO JUAN CABALLERO ¶1. On 12/12, Charg, DEA Director, and INL Assistant attended the ground breaking ceremony for the new National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) Operations Base, funded by INL, in the SIPDIS city of Pedro Juan Caballero (PJC),Department of Amambay, Paraguay. The ground breaking ceremony initiated at the Governor's building was followed by a protocol visit to the site. Attendees included the USG reps noted above, Amambay Governor Roberto Acevedo, SENAD Director Hugo Ibarra, Deputy Attorney General Marcos Alcaraz, judges from PJC, Federal Police from Asuncion and Punta Pora, Brazil and the press. ¶2. Acevedo and Ibarra expressed appreciation for the U.S. assistance. Brazilian officials read a statement on behalf of Brazilian Federal Judge Odilon de Oliveira conveying support for the project and the contribution it would make to combating drug trafficking in the region. The Charge praised SENAD for its counter drug efforts, applauded cooperation between Paraguay and Brazil and stressed the need for Paraguay to remove corrupt officials and address the problem of impunity. During the ground breaking ceremony, a group of some 10-15 peaceful demonstrators held signs reading &No U.S. Base in PJC8 and &Get out Yankees." All the signs were written with the same block letters and protesters appeared relatively unenthusiastic suggesting they may have been filling in as protesters for hire. ¶3. The long-term goal of the PJC project is to improve SENAD's operational capabilities in the Northeast region of Paraguay. Work will be undertaken in two phases: the first phase includes the construction of the new SENAD facility and is scheduled for completion in July 2006; phase two which includes the addition of a helicopter hanger and launch pad will be undertaken upon completion of phase one. The USG will provide fuel tanks and fuel pumps to the PJC office to afford greater operational maneuverability in a region where much of the drug trafficking in Paraguay occurs. JOHNSON