Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASUNCION689
2006-07-06 15:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:  

PARAGUAY: SOUTHCOM COMMANDER CRADDOCK SUPPORTS

Tags:  PREL PGOV PTER KCRM MASS PA 
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DE RUEHAC #0689/01 1871522
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R 061522Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4467
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000689 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR SUE CRONIN
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KCRM MASS PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: SOUTHCOM COMMANDER CRADDOCK SUPPORTS
STRENGTHENED COOPERATION

REF: ASUNCION 0430

Classified By: A/DCM James P. Merz. Reason: 1.4(b),(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000689

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR SUE CRONIN
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KCRM MASS PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: SOUTHCOM COMMANDER CRADDOCK SUPPORTS
STRENGTHENED COOPERATION

REF: ASUNCION 0430

Classified By: A/DCM James P. Merz. Reason: 1.4(b),(d).


1. (SBU) Summary. Southcom Commander General Bantz
Craddock visited Paraguay 6/26-6/29, ostensibly to observe
the Fuerzas Commando competition for anti-terror units from
14 countries including the U.S., but took advantage of the
trip to meet with Paraguay's Vice-President, Minister of
Defense, and Commander of the Armed Forces and visit Ciudad
del Este. VP Castiglioni appealed for greater military
cooperation with the U.S. particularly as pertains to
assistance on logistics, intercept capabilities, and
equipment. MOD Gonzalez supported continued joint
U.S.-Paraguayan military exercises but conveyed concern about
potential Paraguayan Congressional resistance to the
extension of immunities to U.S. soldiers for a new round of
exercises in 2007. Armed Forces Commander, General Kanazawa
expressed support for continued military exercises but is not
prepared to defend those exercises with Congress. Kanazawa
conveyed his concerns about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
and the Bolivarian Movement. The press focused on the
General's visit to TBA but generated little controversy as he
described the visit as an introduction to the region and
stressed the U.S. desire to cooperate with Paraguay in
response to its needs. Colombia won the Fuerzas Commando
exercise for the second year in a row with the U.S. placing
third and Paraguay placing tenth -- a considerable
improvement over its last place performance last year. End
Summary.

--------------
VP Seeks Strengthened U.S. Cooperation
--------------


2. (C) In his meeting with Gen. Craddock, Vice-President
Castiglioni stressed the importance of addressing Paraguay's
security concerns as part of its efforts to strengthen its
democracy and improve the climate for investment and
development. Paraguay was committed to tackling illicit
activity in the Tri-Border Area (TBA); it was in U.S. vested

interests to promote security in the TBA as it would produce
dividends in terms of the security situation in Paraguay and
the region as a whole. Castiglioni appreciated the U.S.
Congressional concerns that inspired the restrictions imposed
by Article 98 but maintained time was of the essence for
Paraguay to meet its security challenges now while they were
still manageable. He hoped the U.S. could find creative ways
to overcome obstacles to providing assistance to Paraguay
which he described as a "close ally" of the U.S. Castiglioni
appealed specifically for the following forms of assistance.

-- Logistical support: Castiglioni said that Paraguay has
six helicopters but only two are operational (thanks to USD
100,000 in assistance in funds provided by DEA). He appealed
for support to make the others operational. He also flagged
the Air Force's need for airplane support enabling it to
enjoy greater overall mobility -- a key to responding to
emerging threats in the interior. (NOTE: Paraguay has seven
(7) helicopters, according to DAO records. End Note.)

-- Intercept capability: Paraguay has no radar capability.
It plans to acquire a primary radar for the airport in
Asuncion but appealed for assistance in acquiring secondary
radars to better surveil airspace in outlying areas. He
spoke specifically of acquiring the capability to intercept
unidentified aircraft suspected of trafficking drugs.

-- Better equipment: Paraguay's military budget is almost
entirely dedicated to salary for military officials. It
desperately needs assistance to acquire equipment, including
weapons, to meet emerging challenges in the country's
interior.


3. (C) General Craddock conveyed support for GOP efforts to
combat poverty and corruption. Each country needs to strike
a balance amongst its priorities. He applauded expanded
cooperation with Colombia as he believed there was much to
learn from Colombia's experience. On Article 98, he noted
the issue was more one of proper jurisdiction than
protections. He supported making appropriate exceptions for
friends and assured the VP that Southcom would look for
opportunities to create and expand cooperation, particularly
in the areas of counternarcotics and counterterrorism. He
conveyed his desire to make available satellite imagery that
Paraguay could then decide how most appropriate to use in
dealing with potential threats.

-------------- --------------
MOD Worried about Congressional Objections to Exercises
-------------- --------------


4. (SBU) In his meeting with General Craddock, MOD Gonzalez
focused on opposition party objections to the exercises. The
GOP supports continued exercises but he was concerned those
opposed would once again misrepresent an agreement covering
all exercises taking place in the course of 2007 to claim the
U.S. military would maintain an uninterrupted presence in
Paraguay during the entire year. He was also worried
Congressional representatives would object to the protections
we would seek for our soldiers on grounds they are
inconsistent with Paraguay's obligations under the Rome
Statute. He spoke of seeking Congressional approval on
exercise by exercise basis but was prepared to explore a more
mutually agreeable solution.


5. (SBU) General Craddock disavowed Gonzalez of his
misunderstanding regarding the Rome Statute. Paraguay could
remain faithful to its obligations under the Rome Statute and
still extend protections to U.S. soldiers. He noted that a
wide array of countries had extended U.S. soldiers the A&T
status we sought to retain in Paraguay. He conveyed optimism
about prospects for working out an approach suggesting we
look at a one year agreement with reports to Congress every
six months informing them of the status of the exercises.

-------------- --------------
Kanazawa Concerned about Bolivarian Movement and Chavez
-------------- --------------


6. (SBU) In his meeting with General Craddock, the Commander
of the Armed Forces, General Kanazawa raised his concerns
about the Venezuelan Bolivarian Movement in Paraguay.
Kanazawa stressed that Paraguay has nothing to do with Simon
Bolivar because they did not obtain independence through
Bolivar. He conceded, however, that there are some retired
officers and various groups who are supporting the Bolivarian
movement in Paraguay, including Monsignor Fernando Lugo's
Citizen's Resistence organization, along with representatives
from the Country in Solidarity Party (PPS) and the Beloved
Fatherland Party (PPQ). General Kanazawa also expressed
irritation with visits to Paraguay by Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez. He mentioned that Chavez always meets with
people with no affiliation with the government and believes
Chavez is trying to foment dissent in Paraguay, especially in
the interior. (NOTE: Venezuelan Embassy officials have met
with Campesino groups as well as Monsigner Lugo. End Note.
(reftel)) (Comment: Kanazawa supports military exercises but
said that he was not prepared to go to Congress to defend
them. The opposition's discontent with him has essentially
brandished him a lame duck commander who is not widely
respected.


7. (C) COMMENT: VP Castiglioni burnished his credentials as
a serious interlocutor who wants to work closely with us in
meeting security challenges both in terms of transnational
crime and emergent insurgent threats. Paraguay is strapped
for resources. For a variety of political resources, its
military is at a particular disadvantage in acquiring the
resources it needs from Congress to meet a widening array of
needs. A small investment to help Paraguay meet these
challenges through the provision of assistance in the form of
equipment including weapons and logistics could produce
significant dividends in terms of contributing to a a more
stable, democratic Paraguay. We recognize some Paraguayan
politicians oppose U.S. military exercises but share Gen.
Craddock's optimism about finding a way to retain the support
we need in Paraguay's Congress to continue the exercises on
terms we find acceptable with regard to protections for our
soldiers. End Comment.
CASON