PARAGUAY PROTESTS ASSAULT ON AMBASSADOR IN CARACAS

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000519

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA (A/S NORIEGA),WHA/BSC, AND WHA/AND
STATE PASS TO USAID LAC/AA
NSC FOR KIMBERLY BREIER
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR KCRM VE PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY PROTESTS ASSAULT ON AMBASSADOR IN CARACAS
-- VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR BLAMS U.S.

REF: ASUNCION 00500


1. On 4/13, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Martinez
Lezcano told the press that the GOP had demanded an official
explanation from the GOV regarding the 4/8 assault on
Paraguayan Ambassador to Venezuela Ana Maria Figueredo in
Caracas (reftel). Martinez noted that the GOP provides
security for Venezuela's Ambassador to Paraguay and the
Venezuelan Embassy in Asuncion, and questioned why the GOV
does not provide the same for Paraguay's Ambassador and
Embassy in Caracas. Although Martinez indicated that the GOP
would not recall Ambassador Figueredo in protest, Figueredo
indicated that she had spoken to FM Rachid, and that Rachid
suggested Figueredo leave Caracas until the GOV satisfies the
demands Figueredo and the GOP have presented.


2. Additionally, Senator Miguel Carrizosa, President of
Paraguay's Congress, sent a letter to his Venezuelan
counterpart, Nicolas Maduro Moro, condemning the assault,
demanding an official explanation, and highlighting the lack
of security for Figueredo and the Embassy.


3. On 4/16, Venezuelan Ambassador to Paraguay Jose Huerta
Castillo claimed during a radio interview that the U.S. had
financed the assault, building on his earlier assertion that
unnamed opponents of President Hugo Chavez were responsible
for the incident (reftel).
KEANE