PUSHING ARTICLE 98 WITH PARAGUAY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000213

SIPDIS

STATE FOR A/S NORIEGA, A/S RADEMAKER, PDAS DERHAM, PM P
MURRAY AND W BROOKS
STATE ALSO FOR T 7208 HST F BOLTON
STATE PASS TO USAID LAC/AA
DOD FOR OUSD(P)/ISP/NP/ICC T JOHNSON
NSC FOR KIMBERLY BREIER
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2015
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL PINR PA KICC
SUBJECT: PUSHING ARTICLE 98 WITH PARAGUAY

REF: A. STATE 21972


B. 04 ASUNCION 1603

Classified By: CDA Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) January 10 Charge reminded VFM Martinez (in absence
of FM Rachid) of the high priority the US places on reaching
agreement with the GOP providing Art. 98 protections. Noting
that FM Rachid had withdrawn her request to meet A/S
Rademaker last week in Washington, Charge asked Martinez to
pass on our desire to move quickly both to legal adviser
Velasquez, who is working on text with DOD attorney Tia
Johnson, and to FM Rachid, who returns from travel today.


2. (C) Charge added that it was important that GOP legal
adviser Velasquez have complete and timely information about
the importance of resolving this issue soon. While the
attorney to attorney consultations on draft language
continue, Charge said we hoped FM Rachid can help accelerate
this process to reach agreement. Martinez said he would
raise this with both Velasquez and Rachid.
JOHNSON