Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASUNCION576
2009-09-15 13:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS BOLIVIAN ASSURANCES ON ARMS PURCHASES
how-toINFO LOG-00 AF-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00 DHSE-00 UTED-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 MOFM-00 MOF-00 VCIE-00 DCP-00 NSAE-00 ISN-00 OIG-00 NIMA-00 PM-00 GIWI-00 ISNE-00 DOHS-00 SSO-00 SS-00 NCTC-00 FMP-00 SCRS-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 PESU-00 SANA-00 /001W R 151346Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0026 INFO MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000576
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MCAP PA BL
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS BOLIVIAN ASSURANCES ON ARMS PURCHASES
REF: ASUNCION 561
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000576
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MCAP PA BL
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS BOLIVIAN ASSURANCES ON ARMS PURCHASES
REF: ASUNCION 561
1. (U) Leading daily ABC Color reported September 11 that
Bolivian and Paraguayan Foreign and Defense Ministers held a 2+2
meeting in Asuncion September 10 to discuss a pending controversial
Bolivian USD 100 million arms purchase. According to ABC, Bolivian
Foreign Minister Choquehuanca confirmed that Bolivian arms are not
being purchased to attack Paraguay, but to strengthen Bolivian
armed forces to fight poverty, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
Paraguayan Defense Minister Bareiro Spaini told ABC that he was
"fully satisfied" by the Bolivian minister's explanations.
2. (U) While the official position is that Bolivian
assurances are sufficient, most members of Congress and even some
government ministers are skeptical. Senate President Miguel
Carrizosa rejected Bolivia's explanation of poverty alleviation
"unless they are thinking of distributing bullets to the needy."
Likewise, Defense Minister Spaini canceled a trip to Ecuador to
hold widely publicized military meetings to discuss spending and
organizational changes within the context of the planned Bolivian
purchases. Paraguayan Foreign Minister Hector Lacognata, citing a
South American arms race, said Paraguay may need to buy more
weapons in response to its neighbors' actions.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: There is a broad, but unofficial, public
consensus that Bolivian arms purchases are a threat to Paraguay.
Political attacks on Bolivia's intentions will likely continue as
politicians curry popular support. Despite these concerns, no
drastic changes are expected to Paraguay's basic defense policy or
spending, although a slight uptick is possible. The current GOP
total defense budget is only USD 11 million annually. END COMMENT.
AYALDE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MCAP PA BL
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS BOLIVIAN ASSURANCES ON ARMS PURCHASES
REF: ASUNCION 561
1. (U) Leading daily ABC Color reported September 11 that
Bolivian and Paraguayan Foreign and Defense Ministers held a 2+2
meeting in Asuncion September 10 to discuss a pending controversial
Bolivian USD 100 million arms purchase. According to ABC, Bolivian
Foreign Minister Choquehuanca confirmed that Bolivian arms are not
being purchased to attack Paraguay, but to strengthen Bolivian
armed forces to fight poverty, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
Paraguayan Defense Minister Bareiro Spaini told ABC that he was
"fully satisfied" by the Bolivian minister's explanations.
2. (U) While the official position is that Bolivian
assurances are sufficient, most members of Congress and even some
government ministers are skeptical. Senate President Miguel
Carrizosa rejected Bolivia's explanation of poverty alleviation
"unless they are thinking of distributing bullets to the needy."
Likewise, Defense Minister Spaini canceled a trip to Ecuador to
hold widely publicized military meetings to discuss spending and
organizational changes within the context of the planned Bolivian
purchases. Paraguayan Foreign Minister Hector Lacognata, citing a
South American arms race, said Paraguay may need to buy more
weapons in response to its neighbors' actions.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: There is a broad, but unofficial, public
consensus that Bolivian arms purchases are a threat to Paraguay.
Political attacks on Bolivia's intentions will likely continue as
politicians curry popular support. Despite these concerns, no
drastic changes are expected to Paraguay's basic defense policy or
spending, although a slight uptick is possible. The current GOP
total defense budget is only USD 11 million annually. END COMMENT.
AYALDE