Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASUNCION632
2007-08-01 20:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE JULY 14-27,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0024 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0632/01 2132042 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 012042Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6015 INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL//SCJ3/SCJ33/SCJ34/SOCSO LNO// RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000632
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, INL/LP (JIM HIDES)
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 PHUM PREL PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE JULY 14-27,
2007
REF: 2007 ASUNCION 00582
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000632
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, INL/LP (JIM HIDES)
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 PHUM PREL PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE JULY 14-27,
2007
REF: 2007 ASUNCION 00582
1. (U) SUMMARY:
-- Yeehah! Prosecutors Praised
-- Utave: Too Little, Too Late
-- SENAD In Action
-- United Nations Funds Family Health
--------------
YEEHAH! PROSECUTORS PRAISED
--------------
2. (U) Ambassador Cason held a "white hat" ceremony on July
20 applauding the efforts of the Economic Crimes and
Anti-Corruption Unit of the Attorney General,s (AG) Office.
Ambassador Cason presented a white cowboy hat to Carlos
Arregui, head of the unit, to express U.S. support for the
unit,s anti-corruption activities. Ambassador Cason
explained that the "good guys" who fought for justice in the
Wild West wore white cowboy hats and were not unlike the
unit,s hard work in the "rough territories" of Paraguay.
Arregui,s unit has brought cases against many high profile
politicians, including an ongoing corruption case against
former foreign minister Ruben Melgarejo Lazoni and prosecutor
Juan Claudio Gaona. This event garnered huge media attention
and widespread public support for the beleaguered
prosecutors. It may also have forestalled nefarious efforts
to sack all crime-busters.
--------------
UTAVE: TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE
--------------
3. (SBU) According to a Customs report, the defunct customs
enforcement institution Utave seized over USD 715,000 worth
of contraband goods between the months of October 2006 and
May 2007. However, its successor, Detave, estimates that it
seized approximately USD 1 million in contraband since it
became operational in late in April. In accordance with
Component 7 of the MCC Threshold Program and with USG
support, GOP Customs formed Detave in September 2006. Unlike
its predecessor, Detave utilizes the combined efforts of GOP
Customs, Navy, and National Police to combat contraband. In
spite of Detave's recent success, post has learned that a
substantial portion of recent travel vouchers submitted by
Detave agents do not reflect actual amounts spent, indicating
the possibility of fraud. The Finance Ministry will shortly
begin an investigation into the matter.
--------------
SENAD IN ACTION
--------------
4. (U) The National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) seized ten
kg. of cocaine en route to Ciudad del Este and three kg. of
cocaine en route to Madrid, Spain in the past month. SENAD
confiscated two kg. of cocaine and arrested six individuals
on July 17, one of whom worked for the National Police's
Special Operations Group (SOP). SENAD seized another
transshipment of cocaine on July 18 in the amount of eight
kg. and arrested a Bolivian citizen. SENAD confiscated three
kg. of cocaine in Asuncion,s Silvio Pettirossi International
Airport on July 23 destined for Madrid, Spain. Police
arrested one individual. According to its quarterly reports,
SENAD seized 468.6 kg. of cocaine and 42,795 kg. of marijuana
in the first half of 2007. (reftel).
--------------
UNITED NATIONS FUNDS FAMILY HEALTH
--------------
5. (U) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) donated on
July 17 USD 200,000 to the Ministry of Health. Health
Minister Oscar Martinez explained that the funds will be used
to reduce the country,s infant/mother mortality rate and to
provide training in the areas of general health, family
planning, and HIV/AIDS prevention.
CASON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, INL/LP (JIM HIDES)
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 PHUM PREL PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE JULY 14-27,
2007
REF: 2007 ASUNCION 00582
1. (U) SUMMARY:
-- Yeehah! Prosecutors Praised
-- Utave: Too Little, Too Late
-- SENAD In Action
-- United Nations Funds Family Health
--------------
YEEHAH! PROSECUTORS PRAISED
--------------
2. (U) Ambassador Cason held a "white hat" ceremony on July
20 applauding the efforts of the Economic Crimes and
Anti-Corruption Unit of the Attorney General,s (AG) Office.
Ambassador Cason presented a white cowboy hat to Carlos
Arregui, head of the unit, to express U.S. support for the
unit,s anti-corruption activities. Ambassador Cason
explained that the "good guys" who fought for justice in the
Wild West wore white cowboy hats and were not unlike the
unit,s hard work in the "rough territories" of Paraguay.
Arregui,s unit has brought cases against many high profile
politicians, including an ongoing corruption case against
former foreign minister Ruben Melgarejo Lazoni and prosecutor
Juan Claudio Gaona. This event garnered huge media attention
and widespread public support for the beleaguered
prosecutors. It may also have forestalled nefarious efforts
to sack all crime-busters.
--------------
UTAVE: TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE
--------------
3. (SBU) According to a Customs report, the defunct customs
enforcement institution Utave seized over USD 715,000 worth
of contraband goods between the months of October 2006 and
May 2007. However, its successor, Detave, estimates that it
seized approximately USD 1 million in contraband since it
became operational in late in April. In accordance with
Component 7 of the MCC Threshold Program and with USG
support, GOP Customs formed Detave in September 2006. Unlike
its predecessor, Detave utilizes the combined efforts of GOP
Customs, Navy, and National Police to combat contraband. In
spite of Detave's recent success, post has learned that a
substantial portion of recent travel vouchers submitted by
Detave agents do not reflect actual amounts spent, indicating
the possibility of fraud. The Finance Ministry will shortly
begin an investigation into the matter.
--------------
SENAD IN ACTION
--------------
4. (U) The National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) seized ten
kg. of cocaine en route to Ciudad del Este and three kg. of
cocaine en route to Madrid, Spain in the past month. SENAD
confiscated two kg. of cocaine and arrested six individuals
on July 17, one of whom worked for the National Police's
Special Operations Group (SOP). SENAD seized another
transshipment of cocaine on July 18 in the amount of eight
kg. and arrested a Bolivian citizen. SENAD confiscated three
kg. of cocaine in Asuncion,s Silvio Pettirossi International
Airport on July 23 destined for Madrid, Spain. Police
arrested one individual. According to its quarterly reports,
SENAD seized 468.6 kg. of cocaine and 42,795 kg. of marijuana
in the first half of 2007. (reftel).
--------------
UNITED NATIONS FUNDS FAMILY HEALTH
--------------
5. (U) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) donated on
July 17 USD 200,000 to the Ministry of Health. Health
Minister Oscar Martinez explained that the funds will be used
to reduce the country,s infant/mother mortality rate and to
provide training in the areas of general health, family
planning, and HIV/AIDS prevention.
CASON