HUMAN RIGHTS REVIEW - MEMBER OF PARAGUAYAN

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000713 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC LSALES AND CCROFT, WHA/AND, DRL/BA, AND INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM MARR MASS PGOV SOCI PINS SNAR PA SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS REVIEW - MEMBER OF PARAGUAYAN SECURITY FORCES REF: A. 05 STATE 225765 ¶B. 03 STATE 3491 ¶C. 99 STATE 103806 ¶D. 99 STATE 85377 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy has reviewed its internal files and records in accordance with standardized vetting procedures, and finds no credible derogatory information on the following member of the Paraguayan security forces that is an intended recipient of U.S. training. ¶2. (SBU) Candidate name: Federico Acuna Araujo DOB: January 1, 1959 POB: San Pedro de Parana, Paraguay Nationality: Paraguayan Unit: National Police Description of training and assistance: International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference Date of training and location: November 7 - 12, 2008, in San Diego, California ¶3. (SBU) Mr. Acuna became Paraguay's National Police commissioner on August 15. At the time of his nomination, rumors surfaced that he had mismanaged money while serving as head of the Police Hospital board years ago. These rumors did not lead to any formal criminal charges, and were taken into consideration by the new Paraguayan government before it nominated Mr. Acuna to serve as police commissioner. In post's view, the rumors are unsubstantiated and likely politically motivated. Post notes that incoming President Lugo reached down in the ranks to select Mr. Acuna due to a lack of confidence that higher ranking police officials would implement the modernization and anti-corruption reforms that President Lugo was specifically elected to address. Post has no further derogatory information about this candidate. ¶4. (U) Embassy requests State Department vetting of Mr. Acuna by no later than November 3, 2008, so that the planned training and material support can move forward. Post apologizes for the short turnaround time as post was only informed today of the requirement for Washington vetting on this proposed candidate. ¶5. (U) POC for this request is Embassy Asuncion Human Rights Officer Michael Edwards, telephone: 011-595-21-213-715, e-mail: edwardsmg@state.gov. Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion AYALDE