PARAGUAY: SPEAKING WITH MUSLIM LEADERS ABOUT

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000887 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER KCRM IO KISL KPAO PA SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: SPEAKING WITH MUSLIM LEADERS ABOUT TERRORIST ACTS REF: STATE 121757 Post has identified key government, media and religious community leaders to approach regarding wider condemnation of extremist violence. In the wake of the recent kidnapping and murder of Cecilia Cubas that bore clear links to the FARC, the Paraguayan government and public are sensitive to the need to denounce and combat terrorism. Paraguay's Arab population is largely Christian. Nevertheless, we will seek to expand our contacts within the Paraguayan Muslim community and encourage Catholic and other leaders to condemn terrorism as incompatible with their religious doctrine. KEANE