PARAGUAY REPSONSE ON DEMARCHE ON THE GROWING IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000476 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA/AND FOR MARK WELLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2026 TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM MASS ECON PTER VE PA SUBJECT: PARAGUAY REPSONSE ON DEMARCHE ON THE GROWING IRAN - VENEZUELA RELATIONSHIP REF: STATE 61378 Classified By: A/POL Sterling D. Tilley, Jr.; Reasons 1.4(b),(d) ¶1. (C) A/DCM conveyed concerns 6/5 over increasing ties between Iran and Venezuela to the MFA,s U/S for Bilateral Affairs Ceferino Valdez. Valdez took copious notes and inquired whether the Secretary would be raising this issue when she meets with FM Ramirez on 6/14. Valdez also described Paraguay,s efforts to rebuff diplomatically Iran,s efforts to establish formal ties with Paraguay. Paraguay declined to accept Iran,s August 2006 invitation to send an MFA official to Iran for consultations. Iran has repeatedly sought an invitation for its Agriculture Minister to visit Paraguay for the purpose of exploring the purchase of Paraguayan beef and soy. To date, Paraguay has not extended an invitation. ¶2. (C) Post requests Department consider taking advantage of the Secretary's June 14th meeting with FM Ramirez to convey concern about Venezuela,s ties with Iran and commend Paraguay for resisting overtures to establish ties with Iran. FITZPATRICK