PARAGUAYAN VP TO WASHINGTON FOR SECURITY TALKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000592

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER OVIP MARR KCRM PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAYAN VP TO WASHINGTON FOR SECURITY TALKS

REF: A. ASUNCION 00364


B. ASUNCION 00403

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


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 4.


2. (C) May 2 Ambassador suggested to VP Castiglioni that he
visit Washington soon as the first step in drafting a new
Paraguayan security strategy. Following up the broad plan
announced by NDF after the Cubas kidnapping (ref A) and
complementing increased cooperation with Colombia (ref B),
the VP would consult senior U.S. officials, including the
Secretary, and the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

SIPDIS
(CHDS). Castiglioni,s visit would flesh out GOP priorities,
building on the general plan already announced - "Paraguay
Seguro." This would be followed soon thereafter by a CHDS
visit to Paraguay to conduct an in-depth seminar with senior
GOP officials to draft a national security strategy.


3. (C) Castiglioni seized on the Ambassador,s suggestion,
saying it tracked exactly with his desire to see increased
US-Paraguay cooperation in many areas, including security.
Now is the time for Paraguay to act, while threats remain
relatively manageable. He said his visit should concentrate
on security issues and also symbolize broader USG-GOP
collaboration, something not all Paraguayans appreciated. He
added that he would love to see VP Cheney to discuss a range
of issues. The Ambassador noted how few foreign visitors the
VP sees, suggesting that Secretary Rice would also be a key
interlocutor. Castiglioni readily agreed, adding that he
would like to see NSC WHA Director, and DOD and FBI
officials. The Ambassador added that a stop at SOUTHCOM
would also be useful. Castiglioni suggested the first week
in June for a visit, with the CHDS seminar in Paraguay to
follow a few weeks later.


4. (C) Comment and Action Request: Unlike many Colorados,
VP Castiglioni is reflexively pro-U.S. and seeks to expand
commercial and political ties with us, even at the expense of
upsetting nationalists, populists, and Brazil. His lead in
pushing an Open Skies agreement (septel) and his close
cooperation with Colombia on security show his skill and
determination in areas of responsibility granted him by NDF.
Helping him craft a national security strategy offers the
opportunity to advance major USG priorities and to strengthen
those within the GOP friendly to the U.S. Please advise if
the early June dates are acceptable and the likely
availability of the Secretary.
KEANE