PARAGUAY: PEACEKEEPING FORCE MAY GET BRAZILIAN

S E C R E T ASUNCION 000757

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR MCAP MOPS MARR PA BR
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: PEACEKEEPING FORCE MAY GET BRAZILIAN
SUPPORT


Classified By: A/POL Sterling Tilley. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) On 6/28, Pol Couns learned of the possibility that
Brazil would be supporting a team of Paraguayan Peacekeepers
for Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) in Haiti. Post has
confirmed that Brazil approved USD 1.7 million for the
Paraguayan Military forces. The funds are designated to be
used to repair 40 armored vehicles, provide support
equipment, uniforms and training for one Paraguayan
Peacekeeping platoon, which will deploy with the Brazilian
contingent.


2. (S) A Paraguayan Army Officer, name protected, told DAO
that USD 1 million is designated to repair 40 armored
vehicles which will remain in Paraguay and the remaining USD
700,000 will be used for support equipment and training for
the Paraguayan Peacekeeping Platoon for Haiti. The platoon
will consist of 5 officers and 25 noncommissioned
officers/enlisted personnel. The contact also indicated the
Brazilians initially wanted the Paraguayan platoon to be
trained at the Brazilian Peacekeeping School, located in
Campo Grande, Brazil, but agreed to allow the training to
continue in Paraguay. However, the contact said that a
Brazilian military team was scheduled to arrive on 7/17 to
oversee the training but has been delayed. (NOTE: DAO has
learned that the Brazilian military team is expected to
arrive within the next two weeks. End Note.)


3. (S) The contact also told DAO that the Brazilians recently
decided to support them because Paraguay politicians have
stepped up its complaints regarding MERCOSUR and the Itaipu
Dam. (NOTE: Whenever Paraguay complains and/or threatens to
pull out of agreements such as MERCOSUR and the Itaipu Dam,
the Brazilians routinely offer the Paraguayans some funding
for other programs to make the Paraguayans happy. End Note.)


4. (C) COMMENT: The Paraguayans have sought PKO support from
Spain as well as Chile, after the Brazilians initially
rejected the Paraguayan request. Spain has offered equipment
and support for up to 230 personnel. That equipment remains
in Spain and has yet to be released. The Chilean effort has
been suspended temporarily, pending the outcome of the
Brazilian offer of support. According to the contact,
although he has received word verbally, there are no
documents that he has seen that guarantee Brazilian support.
End Comment.
CASON