PARAGUAY: LARGE, PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION MARKS

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000348 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA STATE PASS TO USAID LAC/AA NSC FOR SUE CRONIN SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD BARBARA JOHNSON JOINT STAFF FOR J5 LTC SCOTT DAVIS NAIROBI FOR MICHAEL FITZPATRICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PA SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: LARGE, PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION MARKS DISSATISFACTION WITH PRESIDENT REF: ASUNCION 00296 ¶1. SUMMARY: March 29, 30,000-40,000 members of the opposition parties, university students, labor unions, and other organizations united to march in opposition to President Duarte. The protesters objected to a Supreme Court ruling, Duarte's brief assumption of the Colorado presidency, and his desire for reelection. The marchers called for resignation of the five members of the Supreme Court, who ruled Duarte could assume the Colorado presidency. They carried banners declaring "Dictatorship, Never Again!" and "Nicanor, Liar!" The peaceful march concluded in front of the old Congress building, where the leader of the protest, Monsignor Lugo, addressed the crowd and called for Duarte to apologize to the Paraguayan people and for the Supreme Court to resign. The march represents growing dissatisfaction with President Duarte and served as a positive example of non-violent civic participation. END SUMMARY. ¶2. On the evening of March 29, members of the opposition political parties, including the Liberals (PLRA),Patria Querida (PPQ),The National Union Of Ethical Citizens Party (UNACE),Pais Solidario (PPS),and several dissident members of the Colorado Party (ANR) led a large group of largely middle class citizens, families, university students and professors, church groups, and labor union members in a peaceful march against the recent actions of President Duarte to deepen his grip on power. Press reports between 30,000-40,000 citizens participated in the protest, far above the numbers some predicted. Marchers finished in front of the old Congress building. Many marchers carried posters and banners declaring "Dictatorship, Never Again!" and "Nicanor, Liar." According to press reporting, groups also gathered around the country in Encarnacion and Pilar to join the march and voice their opposition to Duarte. In Encarnacion as many as 500 people participated. ¶3. The march culminated with speeches from leaders of the protest, including controversial former San Pedro Bishop Fernando Lugo, who noted the march was a "true citizens, resistance." He underscored the reason for the protest was to call attention to the violation of the constitution by five members of the Supreme Court (ref A) and the President's attempt to "inaugurate a new era of dictatorship" in Paraguay. Lugo called for the resignation of the Supreme Court Justices; if they did not resign on their own, he asked the Congress to remove them. Lugo also called on President Duarte to apologize to the Paraguayan people for his "absurd and farfetched actions," clearly referring to his efforts to consolidate his authority and make a run at reelection. Lugo pointed out the unity of the diverse group of political and civic organizations present at the march indicated that Paraguayans are tired of the government's abuse of power, extending to constitutional violations. He emphasized that Paraguayans would not stand for such abuses. -------------- Rumors of Violence Prove Unfounded -------------- ¶4. RSO reports that there were no incidents of violence during the evening's protest. Paraguayan Police placed approximately 2000 policemen at the scene to provide security and quell any possible outbreak of violence. According to the RSO, Minister of Interior Rogelio Benitez and the Police Commander Fidel Isasa issued explicit orders for the police to not carry arms to the site. Police contacts did note one group of approximately 40 university students carrying anti-U.S. signs and chanting "Yankee Killers." -------------- Reactions to the March -------------- ¶5. Before the protest, Duarte had delivered mixed messages. On the one hand, he characterized the demonstration as a conspiracy driven effort to undermine his authority. At the same time, he asked the opposition to remain open to pursuing a dialogue on reform issues. Television coverage monitored Colorado Party allies of President Duarte entering and exiting the Presidential residence all night in display of support for Duarte. ANR party youth organizations plastered the city's main roads with banners declaring support for Duarte. Civil society representatives described the march as a clear display of civic responsibility, offering hope that conditions can change for the better in Paraguay. Several contacts, including a Paraguayan prosecutor, noted that the diverse nature of those in attendance reflected the overwhelming dissatisfaction of everyday Paraguayans with the current political scene. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. Post considers this demonstration a significant, positive development in Paraguay's ongoing transition to democracy. Opposition members and members of broader civil society peacefully united briefly and firmly voiced their dissatisfaction with the President for his perceived aspirations to expand his power. In the history of Paraguay, to have 30,000 to 40,000 protesters gather peacefully and without provoking a hostile reaction from the government represents an important step in Paraguay's evolution into a more mature democratic state. For context, however, we note that three-hundred thousand voted for Duarte in the recent Colorado primary. ¶7. The role of Monsignor Lugo in heading this protest proved less controversial than originally expected. (Note: Lugo was forced to step down as the Bishop in the Department of San Pedro in 2005 -- ostensibly for his high profile advocacy for and leadership of campesino demonstrations that included land invasions that occasionally became violent. Lugo is also rumored to have fathered a child which may have served the immediate reason for his resignation End Note). Some opposition leaders, including Patria Querida's Pedro Fadul who seeks to project an image of himself as a moderate, responsible leader, may live to regret being photographed holding hands with Lugo on the eve of the demonstration. However, given the apparent success of the demonstration and Lugo's efforts to rein in his rhetoric, the opposition appears to have averted a negative spin on its affiliation with Lugo. Organizers may have agreed on Lugo as spokesman to avoid a fight among political parties for this leadership position. The press noted that party leaders still jockeyed for prominence, as with the Liberals intentionally arriving very early to dominate choice spots before the cameras. ¶8. Notwithstanding the success of the March 29 protest, organizers have been vague about next steps. Duarte and his cabinet ministers for their part exercised restraint in their remarks highlighting the fact that the police in no way interfered in the demonstration. Rare opposition unity reflects real public distaste for NDF's antics, but is probably short-lived unless Duarte overplays his hand. CASON