Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASUNCION166
2006-02-14 17:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE, FEBRUARY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0027 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0166 0451725 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 141725Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3772 INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL//SCJ5// RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000166
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC AND EB/IFD/OIA
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/AA
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR LYANG
NSC FOR SUE CRONIN
TREASURY FOR OSIA MAUREEN WAFER
TREASURY FOR OTA WARFIELD, VAN KOCH, MILLAR
COMMERCE FOR ITA SARAH COOK
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD BARBARA MOORE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KWMN PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE, FEBRUARY
4-10, 2006
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000166
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC AND EB/IFD/OIA
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/AA
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR LYANG
NSC FOR SUE CRONIN
TREASURY FOR OSIA MAUREEN WAFER
TREASURY FOR OTA WARFIELD, VAN KOCH, MILLAR
COMMERCE FOR ITA SARAH COOK
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD BARBARA MOORE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KWMN PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE, FEBRUARY
4-10, 2006
1. (U) Summary
--------------
-- New President of the Supreme Court Selected
-- Surge in Domestic Violence Reported
-- Anti-Semitic Graffiti on Rise
--------------
New President of the Supreme Court Selected
--------------
2. On 2/7, the Supreme Court elected Minister Jose Raul
Torres Kirmser as its new President. Torres replaced Antonio
Fretes, and will serve for one year as President. Torres, a
loyal Colorado (ANR) with close ties to ANR Senator Galaverna
and former President Juan Carlos Wasmosy, has over 40 years
of service in the judiciary. During his first remarks to the
press as President, he alluded to keeping the Court
independent from the State and improving transparency within
the judicial sector. On the same day, the Court selected
Ministers Victor Nunez and Wildo Rienzi as its
Vice-Presidents. A complete bio on Torres Kirmser will
follow septel.
--------------
Surge in Domestic Violence Reported
--------------
3. On 2/1, the press reported that more than 200 cases of
domestic violence were reported in Ciudad del Este alone in
January, compared to more than 1,000 cases reported in all of
2005. The report attributed the increase to growing poverty
and unemployment. In December 2005, PolOff met with Teresa
Martinez, a prosecutor in the Office of the Attorney General,
regarding women's issues when this subject was addressed.
Martinez indicated that spousal abuse in Paraguay is common,
although the law prohibits it. The law stipulates that the
abuse must be habitual before being recognized as criminal,
and then is only punishable by a fine. Martinez said
thousands of women were treated for injuries sustained in
violent domestic altercations in 2005. COMMENT: Post
disagrees with the assessment by the press and suspects the
increase in reporting may be largely associated with the
concerted effort by the Secretariat of Women's Affairs to
address this issue and encourage women to report attacks.
Post also believes the numbers to be high but, because of a
lack of reporting, statistics cannot be compared to previous
years. End Comment.
--------------
Anti-Semitic Graffiti on Rise
--------------
4. On 2/9, PolOff discussed the recent depictions of
anti-Semitic graffiti in several locations in Asuncion with
Max Haber, Honorary Consul for Israel. Haber indicated that
the Jewish community is concerned about these recent events,
which have increased significantly since January. He said
that there have been more than 60 to 70 reported incidents of
anti-Semitic or pro-Nazi symbols. In some of those
instances, anti-American symbols or messages have been
displayed. Haber stressed that, prior to these past few
months, the Jewish community lived virtually without concern
or fear of their security. They now appear to be concerned
for their safety. Haber said the Jewish community would
approach the Attorney General's Office and other government
officials regarding this situation after the upcoming
Colorado Party elections on 2/19. (Note: The Jewish
community employs private security guards to protect Jewish
schools, cemeteries and other facilities. There are
approximately 350 Jewish families in Paraguay. No attacks on
individuals have been reported. End Note.)
CASON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC AND EB/IFD/OIA
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/AA
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR LYANG
NSC FOR SUE CRONIN
TREASURY FOR OSIA MAUREEN WAFER
TREASURY FOR OTA WARFIELD, VAN KOCH, MILLAR
COMMERCE FOR ITA SARAH COOK
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD BARBARA MOORE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KWMN PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE, FEBRUARY
4-10, 2006
1. (U) Summary
--------------
-- New President of the Supreme Court Selected
-- Surge in Domestic Violence Reported
-- Anti-Semitic Graffiti on Rise
--------------
New President of the Supreme Court Selected
--------------
2. On 2/7, the Supreme Court elected Minister Jose Raul
Torres Kirmser as its new President. Torres replaced Antonio
Fretes, and will serve for one year as President. Torres, a
loyal Colorado (ANR) with close ties to ANR Senator Galaverna
and former President Juan Carlos Wasmosy, has over 40 years
of service in the judiciary. During his first remarks to the
press as President, he alluded to keeping the Court
independent from the State and improving transparency within
the judicial sector. On the same day, the Court selected
Ministers Victor Nunez and Wildo Rienzi as its
Vice-Presidents. A complete bio on Torres Kirmser will
follow septel.
--------------
Surge in Domestic Violence Reported
--------------
3. On 2/1, the press reported that more than 200 cases of
domestic violence were reported in Ciudad del Este alone in
January, compared to more than 1,000 cases reported in all of
2005. The report attributed the increase to growing poverty
and unemployment. In December 2005, PolOff met with Teresa
Martinez, a prosecutor in the Office of the Attorney General,
regarding women's issues when this subject was addressed.
Martinez indicated that spousal abuse in Paraguay is common,
although the law prohibits it. The law stipulates that the
abuse must be habitual before being recognized as criminal,
and then is only punishable by a fine. Martinez said
thousands of women were treated for injuries sustained in
violent domestic altercations in 2005. COMMENT: Post
disagrees with the assessment by the press and suspects the
increase in reporting may be largely associated with the
concerted effort by the Secretariat of Women's Affairs to
address this issue and encourage women to report attacks.
Post also believes the numbers to be high but, because of a
lack of reporting, statistics cannot be compared to previous
years. End Comment.
--------------
Anti-Semitic Graffiti on Rise
--------------
4. On 2/9, PolOff discussed the recent depictions of
anti-Semitic graffiti in several locations in Asuncion with
Max Haber, Honorary Consul for Israel. Haber indicated that
the Jewish community is concerned about these recent events,
which have increased significantly since January. He said
that there have been more than 60 to 70 reported incidents of
anti-Semitic or pro-Nazi symbols. In some of those
instances, anti-American symbols or messages have been
displayed. Haber stressed that, prior to these past few
months, the Jewish community lived virtually without concern
or fear of their security. They now appear to be concerned
for their safety. Haber said the Jewish community would
approach the Attorney General's Office and other government
officials regarding this situation after the upcoming
Colorado Party elections on 2/19. (Note: The Jewish
community employs private security guards to protect Jewish
schools, cemeteries and other facilities. There are
approximately 350 Jewish families in Paraguay. No attacks on
individuals have been reported. End Note.)
CASON