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