FAKE BOMB CAUSES DOWNTOWN CONFUSION

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000284

SENSITIVE

FOR DS/ITA, DS/IP, DS/ATA, S/CT AND WHA/BSC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER PA
SUBJECT: FAKE BOMB CAUSES DOWNTOWN CONFUSION

REF: ASUNCION 261


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: At approximately 8:30 am on May 5, 2009,
the Paraguayan police located what appeared to be an
improvised explosive device (IED) in downtown Asuncion.
After securing the area, the Government of Paraguay (GOP)
requested U.S. Government assistance. RSO, FBI and SOCFWD
elements responded to the scene and provided technical
assistance. At 11:30 am, the device was disabled via use of
a DS/ATA-provided water cannon. Subsequent examination by
the RSO and SOCFWD experts revealed that the bomb was a fake
- expertly made to look real. END SUMMARY


2. (SBU) DETAILS: At approximately 8:30 am on May 5, 2009,
police located what appeared to be an IED on the ledge of a
business owned by Gustavo SABA - a well-known businessman
with ties to Syria and Russia. The area was evacuated and a
perimeter of 100 meters set. At 9:00 am the Vice Minister of
Interior called the RSO to ask for assistance. (NOTE: Three
minutes before the Vice Minister called, the news media
reported the GOP had asked the U.S. Embassy for assistance.
END NOTE). The Vice Minister specifically asked whether the
Embassy possessed equipment to move the bomb from one
location to another. RSO spoke with SOCFWD and determined
that we did not possess the correct equipment.


3. (SBU) The Vice Minster then asked the RSO to join him, the
Minister of Interior and the Chief of Police at the scene.
After speaking with Ambassador and DCM, RSO requested that
explosives experts from SOCFWD and the FBI accompany him to
the scene.


4. (SBU) After analyzing photographs taken of the device by
Paraguayan special operations police (FOPE),the decision was
made to detonate the device using a water cannon and blasting
cap. The FOPE used the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD)
suit and water cannon provided by DS/ATA last year in order
to detonate the device. At 11:30 am, after evacuating nearby
buildings, the device was harmlessly deactivated.


5. (SBU) While there were reports of one of more additional
devices, none were found.


6. (SBU) The Minister of Interior asked for U.S. assistance
analyzing the apparent bomb and at 3:00 pm, RSO, FBI and
SOCFWD inspected the remains of the device. Using the GE
Itemiser and analyzing the remnants, the device appeared to
contain no explosives. The device was made of industrial
batteries held together by wire sautered onto the battery
receptors. RSO informed the Chief of Police of the finding.
The police displayed an interest in keeping this information
temporarily quiet in hopes that an organization would claim
responsibility.


7. (SBU) The Minister of Interior and his team also requested
U.S. assistance obtaining more sophisticated EOD equipment to
include an EOD robot. The GOP is prepared to pay for the
equipment, but would like assistance in obtaining it
immediately.


8. (SBU) COMMENT: Although there have been no claims of
responsibility for today - or last week's (reftel) -
incident, many theories abound. The most prevalent theory is
that the Paraguayan People's Army (EPP) is behind the April
29 bombing and today's fake bomb. Others believe that
opposition elements led by former coup-plotter General Oviedo
seek to diminish confidence in Lugo's administration. Most
improbably, others believe Lugo himself is behind the chaos
in order to distract from his own scandals and consolidate
power. While the investigation goes on, the U.S. Embassy
will continue to offer assistance when asked.

Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion

AYALDE