BODIES FROM STROESSNER ERA UNCOVERED

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000475 SIPDIS SENSITIVE TO WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PA SUBJECT: BODIES FROM STROESSNER ERA UNCOVERED ¶1. (U) The President of Justice and Ethics Committee Antonio Palazon and special investigator Augusto Rios uncovered July 24 the remains of two bodies which could belong to political prisoners that disappeared during Stroessner's dictatorship. The bones were found in a vegetable garden located behind the Special Police Task Force Operations (FOPE) building. The discovery included ammunition and equipment. During the Stroessner's regime, the garden in the FOPE building was a swine farm managed by the Tacumbu National Penitentiary administration. Press reports indicate that as many as 300 bodies could be uncovered in the premises surrounding FOPE, an area of about 14 hectares. Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola said that the Justice and Truth Committee has DNA records of victims that could help identify the bodies. ¶2. (SBU) COMMENT: The discovery of human bones and the possibility of a mass grave are yet more examples of the atrocities of the Stroessner dictatorship. Post will monitor the situation as the search for additional bodies continues. END COMMENT. Shaker