Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ASUNCION838
2005-06-30 11:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:  

PARAGUAY SEEKS PARTICIPATION ON SPAIN'S CONTINGENT

Tags:  PREL MARR KPKO HA SP PA 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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).

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