Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASUNCION6
2009-01-06 22:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asuncion
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0006 0062237 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 062237Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7501 INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0110 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0007 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0030 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 0008 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0120
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000006
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2034
TAGS: PREL PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
REF: A. 08 CARACAS 1784
B. 08 BRASILIA 1685
C. 08 LA PAZ 2671
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Michael J. Fitzpatrick for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000006
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2034
TAGS: PREL PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
REF: A. 08 CARACAS 1784
B. 08 BRASILIA 1685
C. 08 LA PAZ 2671
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Michael J. Fitzpatrick for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) The Paraguayan government issued a statement January
5 expressing "deep concern at the violence and instability in
the Gaza Strip." The government urged parties involved to
"immediately cease military action," and seek a peaceful
solution through dialogue with strong respect for
international humanitarian law and the United Nations'
Charter. The Paraguayan government called on Israel to
reopen its border crossings with Gaza to allow fuel and food
supplies, medicine, and humanitarian assistance to enter
Gaza, and permit medical evacuations. Paraguay called on the
UN Security Council to consider urgent action, and expressed
support for mediation efforts "by neighboring nations."
(NOTE: The statement did not clarify what "urgent" action
the UNSC should consider. END NOTE.)
2. (U) Paraguay, as President pro tempore of MERCOSUR, also
signed December 28 a joint MERCOSUR communique expressing
concern over the situation in the Gaza Strip and rejecting
the "escalation of violence and intimidation" there. The
MERCOSUR statement also expressed regret over civilian deaths
and injuries, and urged parties to cease hostilities and
resume dialogue and negotiation.
3. (C) COMMENT: The Paraguayan government remained
relatively quiet on the issue of hostilities in the Gaza
Strip until its January 5 declaration. Although Foreign
Minister Alejandro Hamed Franco -- a former Ambassador to
Lebanon known for his pro-Palestinian sympathies -- made
comments December 21 and January 5 in support of the
Palestinians, Paraguay's official statement strikes us as
muted compared to Venezuela's and Bolivia's inflated rhetoric
and far less critical than Brazil (refs A, B, and C). END
COMMENT.
Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion
FITZPATRICK
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2034
TAGS: PREL PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
REF: A. 08 CARACAS 1784
B. 08 BRASILIA 1685
C. 08 LA PAZ 2671
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Michael J. Fitzpatrick for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) The Paraguayan government issued a statement January
5 expressing "deep concern at the violence and instability in
the Gaza Strip." The government urged parties involved to
"immediately cease military action," and seek a peaceful
solution through dialogue with strong respect for
international humanitarian law and the United Nations'
Charter. The Paraguayan government called on Israel to
reopen its border crossings with Gaza to allow fuel and food
supplies, medicine, and humanitarian assistance to enter
Gaza, and permit medical evacuations. Paraguay called on the
UN Security Council to consider urgent action, and expressed
support for mediation efforts "by neighboring nations."
(NOTE: The statement did not clarify what "urgent" action
the UNSC should consider. END NOTE.)
2. (U) Paraguay, as President pro tempore of MERCOSUR, also
signed December 28 a joint MERCOSUR communique expressing
concern over the situation in the Gaza Strip and rejecting
the "escalation of violence and intimidation" there. The
MERCOSUR statement also expressed regret over civilian deaths
and injuries, and urged parties to cease hostilities and
resume dialogue and negotiation.
3. (C) COMMENT: The Paraguayan government remained
relatively quiet on the issue of hostilities in the Gaza
Strip until its January 5 declaration. Although Foreign
Minister Alejandro Hamed Franco -- a former Ambassador to
Lebanon known for his pro-Palestinian sympathies -- made
comments December 21 and January 5 in support of the
Palestinians, Paraguay's official statement strikes us as
muted compared to Venezuela's and Bolivia's inflated rhetoric
and far less critical than Brazil (refs A, B, and C). END
COMMENT.
Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion
FITZPATRICK