PARAGUAY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO INTRODUCE HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000411 SIPDIS STATE PASS TO USAID LAC/AA SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON NSC FOR KIMBERLY BREIER E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2015 TAGS: PREL PHUM PINR CU CO PA VE SUBJECT: PARAGUAY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO INTRODUCE HUMAN RIGHTS PROTOCOL FOR MERCOSUR REF: A. ASUNCION 00384 ¶B. ASUNCION 00257 ¶C. STATE 43965 Classified By: DCM Kevin M. Johnson, reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) On March 17, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Martinez publicly announced the GOP's plans to introduce a Mercosur human rights protocol that would provide for the suspension of any member state that violates human rights. The GOP hopes to garner other members' support for the protocol in time for the June 2005 Mercosur Summit in Asuncion, during Paraguay's current, six-month presidency of the organization. Passage of the protocol would require a consensus decision by core members Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. ¶2. (C) FM Rachid first told Ambassador about the proposed protocol in February, noting that it would be useful in blocking Cuba from joining Mercosur and could potentially be used against Venezuela in the future (ref B). During a March 15 meeting with Ambassador, Rachid reiterated her concerns about Cuba and Venezuela in the Mercosur context, noting that President Chavez continues to push for Cuba to obtain observer status, but hinting that Paraguay could prevent Cuba's entry by blocking consensus (ref A). ¶3. (C) Note: In recent weeks, Colombian PolCouns Raul Sanchez has repeatedly complained to PolOff about the vocal and aggressive nature of the Venezuelan Mercosur delegation's participation in recent Mercosur meetings in Asuncion. In contrast to other observer nations, such as Colombia, Sanchez said the Venezuelan delegation often tries to run roughshod over the proceedings, forcing Venezuela's agenda on even core and associate member states in some cases. KEANE