Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASUNCION576
2006-06-05 19:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE, MAY 27 -
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0576/01 1561949 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051949Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4340 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 000576
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KCRM PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE, MAY 27 -
JUNE 2, 2006
REF: A. ASUNCION 0479
B. ASUNCION 0430
C. ASUNCION 0296 AND PRECEDING
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000576
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KCRM PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE, MAY 27 -
JUNE 2, 2006
REF: A. ASUNCION 0479
B. ASUNCION 0430
C. ASUNCION 0296 AND PRECEDING
1. (U) SUMMARY:
-- Lugo Calls for Another Protest
-- Soccer Diplomacy
-- Galeano May Be Prosecuted
-- TSJE Says Voting Machines Transparent
--------------
Lugo Calls for Another Protest
--------------
2. (U) On 6/7, Monsignor Fernando Lugo and the group Citizen
Resistance which he heads plan to demonstrate by forming a
human chain around the Supreme Court building. They call the
demonstration "chaining injustice," and the demonstration is
intended to show Paraguayans' indignation with the five
Supreme Court Justices whose votes allowed Nicanor Duarte
Frutos to claim temporary leadership over the Colorado Party.
Monsignor Lugo stated that the demonstration will be
peaceful, but that the group will look for other ways to
apply more pressure to achieve its goal of forcing the five
judges from office. Representatives of opposition political
parties including UNACE, the Authentic Liberal Radical Party
(PLRA),the Country in Solidarity Party (PPS),the Beloved
Fatherland Party (PPQ),as well as civil organizations and
labor unions were present when the members of Citizen
Resistance signed the agreement setting the date for the
demonstration.
--------------
Soccer Diplomacy
--------------
3. (U) On 6/1, the Embassy unveiled two banners recognizing
Paraguayan success in reaching the World Cup. The banners
praise the 23 members of the team, acknowledge Paraguay's
third consecutive World Cup tournament and recognize one
nation united behind their team. Passersby on foot
acknowledge the banners with a cheerful smile and those in
vehicles sometimes honk their horn in approval. Local hires
are delighted and very supportive of the signs.
--------------
Galeano May be Prosecuted
--------------
4. (SBU) On 5/26, Prosecutor Arnaldo Giuzzio raided the home
of Col. Heriberto Galeano, former commander of the
Presidential Escort Regiment and current commander of the
First Infantry Division, located in the Chaco region. The
investigation was originally centered around Galeano's
alleged illegal telephone tapping operations from his home in
the Cerro Cora neighborhood in Lambare. Neighbours suggest
that by the time his home was raided, most of the
communications equipment had already been removed, indicating
he had been tipped off about the raid. According to Guizzio,
Galeano's home is not included in his declaration of assets
and Galeano may be prosecuted on charges of illegal
enrichment.
--------------
TSJE Says Voting Machines Transparent
SIPDIS
--------------
5. (U) Over the past week, news reports have called into
question the authenticity and security of electronic
balloting machines after a video depicting manipulation of
the machines' results, produced by unknown sources, was
released to the media. On 6/2, PolOff met with two officials
of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSJE),Ricardo Lesme
Dalles, Director of Technical Information, and Liliana
Benitez, Director of Public Relations. Lesme conceded that
the machines are old but mentioned that they are reliable and
transparent. He stated that the machines have software that
prevent tampering and maintained that should someone attempt
to tamper with a machine, it will shut down. Lesme allowed
the PolOff to watch the 20 minute video while he mimicked
everything that was done on an actual machine. In addition,
Benitez provided another video depicting the inspection of
the machines by Brazilian technicians prior to the most
recent Colorado internal elections. According to signed
documents by the technicians, the electronic balloting
machines had sufficient protections against tampering. They
verified the results from the last election.
CASON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KCRM PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE, MAY 27 -
JUNE 2, 2006
REF: A. ASUNCION 0479
B. ASUNCION 0430
C. ASUNCION 0296 AND PRECEDING
1. (U) SUMMARY:
-- Lugo Calls for Another Protest
-- Soccer Diplomacy
-- Galeano May Be Prosecuted
-- TSJE Says Voting Machines Transparent
--------------
Lugo Calls for Another Protest
--------------
2. (U) On 6/7, Monsignor Fernando Lugo and the group Citizen
Resistance which he heads plan to demonstrate by forming a
human chain around the Supreme Court building. They call the
demonstration "chaining injustice," and the demonstration is
intended to show Paraguayans' indignation with the five
Supreme Court Justices whose votes allowed Nicanor Duarte
Frutos to claim temporary leadership over the Colorado Party.
Monsignor Lugo stated that the demonstration will be
peaceful, but that the group will look for other ways to
apply more pressure to achieve its goal of forcing the five
judges from office. Representatives of opposition political
parties including UNACE, the Authentic Liberal Radical Party
(PLRA),the Country in Solidarity Party (PPS),the Beloved
Fatherland Party (PPQ),as well as civil organizations and
labor unions were present when the members of Citizen
Resistance signed the agreement setting the date for the
demonstration.
--------------
Soccer Diplomacy
--------------
3. (U) On 6/1, the Embassy unveiled two banners recognizing
Paraguayan success in reaching the World Cup. The banners
praise the 23 members of the team, acknowledge Paraguay's
third consecutive World Cup tournament and recognize one
nation united behind their team. Passersby on foot
acknowledge the banners with a cheerful smile and those in
vehicles sometimes honk their horn in approval. Local hires
are delighted and very supportive of the signs.
--------------
Galeano May be Prosecuted
--------------
4. (SBU) On 5/26, Prosecutor Arnaldo Giuzzio raided the home
of Col. Heriberto Galeano, former commander of the
Presidential Escort Regiment and current commander of the
First Infantry Division, located in the Chaco region. The
investigation was originally centered around Galeano's
alleged illegal telephone tapping operations from his home in
the Cerro Cora neighborhood in Lambare. Neighbours suggest
that by the time his home was raided, most of the
communications equipment had already been removed, indicating
he had been tipped off about the raid. According to Guizzio,
Galeano's home is not included in his declaration of assets
and Galeano may be prosecuted on charges of illegal
enrichment.
--------------
TSJE Says Voting Machines Transparent
SIPDIS
--------------
5. (U) Over the past week, news reports have called into
question the authenticity and security of electronic
balloting machines after a video depicting manipulation of
the machines' results, produced by unknown sources, was
released to the media. On 6/2, PolOff met with two officials
of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSJE),Ricardo Lesme
Dalles, Director of Technical Information, and Liliana
Benitez, Director of Public Relations. Lesme conceded that
the machines are old but mentioned that they are reliable and
transparent. He stated that the machines have software that
prevent tampering and maintained that should someone attempt
to tamper with a machine, it will shut down. Lesme allowed
the PolOff to watch the 20 minute video while he mimicked
everything that was done on an actual machine. In addition,
Benitez provided another video depicting the inspection of
the machines by Brazilian technicians prior to the most
recent Colorado internal elections. According to signed
documents by the technicians, the electronic balloting
machines had sufficient protections against tampering. They
verified the results from the last election.
CASON