Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASUNCION837
2008-12-16 19:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
TRACTORAZO - AGRO-BUSINESS SECTOR UNITES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0447 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0837 3511939 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 161939Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7454 INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000837
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
TO WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH, BFRIEDMAN, MDRUCKER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON PA
SUBJECT: TRACTORAZO - AGRO-BUSINESS SECTOR UNITES
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000837
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
TO WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH, BFRIEDMAN, MDRUCKER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON PA
SUBJECT: TRACTORAZO - AGRO-BUSINESS SECTOR UNITES
1. (SBU) Lining up tractors, tractor trailers, automobiles, and
motorcycles along 1,000 kilometers of Paraguay's highways,
30,0000-50,0000 representatives of the country's agro-business
sector protested in favor of jobs and security December 15-16 in 13
of Paraguay's 17 departments. The United Unions of Production
organized the event with support from ranchers, cooperatives,
industry owners, meat producers, and agriculture and wood exporters.
Organizers hoped the protest would spark a dialogue with the
government on land issues in order to ensure the country's
productive capacity. The protest, concentrated in the country's
interior, will conclude late December 16 with a music festival in
downtown Asuncion.
2. (SBU) Campesino leaders opposed the protest, dubbed the "tractor
rally" ("tractorazo" in Spanish),alleging that the productive
sector wants to continue enjoying its preferential status,
"poisoning" the country with toxic agro chemicals and destroying the
environment. They stated that they were closely following the
protest and were ready to "defend" Paraguay's democratic process if
the protest blocked the country's roads. High-level GOP officials
said the protesters were free to exercise their rights within the
framework of the law. To date, the protest has been peaceful; no
roads have been closed.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The fourth event of its kind since 1999 (with
others in 1999, 2001 and 2002),President Lugo's supporters have
cast the "tractorazo" as a call for jobs and security consistent
with Lugo's goals; the president's critics claim the event aims to
express frustration with Lugo's lack of progress. In light of
continuing concerns about campesino land invasions, Paraguay's
agro-business sector is expressing its political power via this
demonstration, and is reminding the Lugo administration not to
overlook the sector as the GOP begins to address land and tax
reform. END COMMENT.
Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion.
Ayalde
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
TO WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH, BFRIEDMAN, MDRUCKER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON PA
SUBJECT: TRACTORAZO - AGRO-BUSINESS SECTOR UNITES
1. (SBU) Lining up tractors, tractor trailers, automobiles, and
motorcycles along 1,000 kilometers of Paraguay's highways,
30,0000-50,0000 representatives of the country's agro-business
sector protested in favor of jobs and security December 15-16 in 13
of Paraguay's 17 departments. The United Unions of Production
organized the event with support from ranchers, cooperatives,
industry owners, meat producers, and agriculture and wood exporters.
Organizers hoped the protest would spark a dialogue with the
government on land issues in order to ensure the country's
productive capacity. The protest, concentrated in the country's
interior, will conclude late December 16 with a music festival in
downtown Asuncion.
2. (SBU) Campesino leaders opposed the protest, dubbed the "tractor
rally" ("tractorazo" in Spanish),alleging that the productive
sector wants to continue enjoying its preferential status,
"poisoning" the country with toxic agro chemicals and destroying the
environment. They stated that they were closely following the
protest and were ready to "defend" Paraguay's democratic process if
the protest blocked the country's roads. High-level GOP officials
said the protesters were free to exercise their rights within the
framework of the law. To date, the protest has been peaceful; no
roads have been closed.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The fourth event of its kind since 1999 (with
others in 1999, 2001 and 2002),President Lugo's supporters have
cast the "tractorazo" as a call for jobs and security consistent
with Lugo's goals; the president's critics claim the event aims to
express frustration with Lugo's lack of progress. In light of
continuing concerns about campesino land invasions, Paraguay's
agro-business sector is expressing its political power via this
demonstration, and is reminding the Lugo administration not to
overlook the sector as the GOP begins to address land and tax
reform. END COMMENT.
Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion.
Ayalde