PARAGUAY SEEKS PARTICIPATION ON SPAIN'S CONTINGENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000838 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC NSC FOR KIM BREIER SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2015 TAGS: PREL MARR KPKO HA SP PA SUBJECT: PARAGUAY SEEKS PARTICIPATION ON SPAIN'S CONTINGENT TO PKO HAITI REF: ASUNCION 748 Classified By: Polcouns James P. Merz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) As reported reftel, GOP military officials have been in contact with Spain regarding assistance to support Paraguayan participation in Spain's PKO contingent in Haiti. On 6/28, Paraguay's MOD Gonzalez sent a letter to his Spanish counterpart formally expressing the GOP's desire to participate in Spain's PKO outfit in Haiti and requesting assistance both in terms of certain items including basic equipment, munitions, individual weapons, and communication and computer (laptop) equipment, as well as training. Provided Paraguay received the assistance it needed from Spain, Air Force Assistant to the Ministry of Defense Col. Escurra told the U.S. MilGroup Commander that Paraguay was looking at deploying by air in the December time frame tracking with the current relief schedule. ¶2. (C) Spain's DCM in Paraguay Dolores Rios confirmed that Spain has informally signaled a willingness to help Paraguay meet some but not all of its basic equipment needs. Col. Escurra identified munitions, weapons, and communications equipment as areas where some of Paraguay's requests would not be met by Spain. ¶3. (C) On 6/24, Chief of Military Forces Kanazawa told Ambassador that MOD to MOD agreement was the next step, following the technical discussions between the armed forces. Kanazawa expressed disappointment that Spain had said it would provide some equipment but that this would fall significantly short of the GOP's needs, including the items mentioned above plus "logistical" support such as transport to Haiti and other operational costs. Kanazawa added that the Armed Forces have a zero budget for peacekeeping operations and relies one hundred percent on others to support GOP PKO initiatives. In that context, he lamented that the UN will not advance funds and that its reimbursement arrives twelve months after an expense is incurred. He made it appear that the GOP would be violating the law, or, at a minimum criticized, if it expended its own funds, not provided for in the Congressionally approved budget on PKO initiatives. ¶4. (C) Comment: Paraguay has long expressed willingness to deploy to Haiti, going as far as obtaining Congressional approval for the Mission, but only if provided significant assistance. Initial talks with Brazil and Chile were unsuccessful. Given the Paraguayan MOD's formal approach to Spain, Department may wish to ask Embassy Madrid to consult Spanish officials. KEANE