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 Noting that FM Rachid had withdrawn her request to meet A/S Rademaker last week in Washington, Charge asked Martinez to pass on our desire to move quickly both to legal adviser Velasquez, who is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