Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASUNCION637
2009-11-05 20:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
LUGO SACKS MILITARY LEADERSHIP; U.S. DONATES MILITARY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0011 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0637 3092010 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O R 052010Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0150 INFO MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RHMFISS/USSOCOM INTEL MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000637
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP MASS PGOV PREL PA
SUBJECT: LUGO SACKS MILITARY LEADERSHIP; U.S. DONATES MILITARY
EQUIPMENT
REF: ASUNCION 562; ASUNCION 611
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000637
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP MASS PGOV PREL PA
SUBJECT: LUGO SACKS MILITARY LEADERSHIP; U.S. DONATES MILITARY
EQUIPMENT
REF: ASUNCION 562; ASUNCION 611
1. (U) President Lugo replaced several military service
chiefs November 4, for the third time during his presidency. Lugo
spoke of "pockets of disloyalty" in the military November 3, but
did not publically provide a rational for the changes to the senior
uniformed commanders of the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The
anticipated replacement of Cibar Benitez as commander of the armed
forces did not occur, but is still expected before the end of the
year. Lugo personally selected the new chiefs in contrast to
previous changes he merely ratified.
2. (U) Separately, and prior to the personnel changes, Lugo
and Ambassador Ayalde presided November 4 over the
transfer-of-equipment ceremony for the Joint Special Forces
Battalion (BCFE) (reftels A and B). Press reports relayed the
Ambassador's clear denial of U.S. involvement in a possible coup
attempt against Lugo as alleged by Venezuelan legislators.
Extensive press coverage also highlighted the show of American
support for Lugo's government in time of crisis, as well as the
Ambassador's comments that while the U.S. had provided training and
equipment for the BCFE, its missions and orders are the exclusive
responsibility of Paraguay.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Post does not currently believe there is
any coup d'etat threat to Lugo from the military. Lugo's frequent
changes in military leadership are unlikely to win him friends
within the armed forces, but they will ensure its continued
obedience to elected civilian leadership. This change also serves
as a concrete response by Lugo to concerns about Paraguay's
security situation. END COMMENT.
AYALDE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP MASS PGOV PREL PA
SUBJECT: LUGO SACKS MILITARY LEADERSHIP; U.S. DONATES MILITARY
EQUIPMENT
REF: ASUNCION 562; ASUNCION 611
1. (U) President Lugo replaced several military service
chiefs November 4, for the third time during his presidency. Lugo
spoke of "pockets of disloyalty" in the military November 3, but
did not publically provide a rational for the changes to the senior
uniformed commanders of the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The
anticipated replacement of Cibar Benitez as commander of the armed
forces did not occur, but is still expected before the end of the
year. Lugo personally selected the new chiefs in contrast to
previous changes he merely ratified.
2. (U) Separately, and prior to the personnel changes, Lugo
and Ambassador Ayalde presided November 4 over the
transfer-of-equipment ceremony for the Joint Special Forces
Battalion (BCFE) (reftels A and B). Press reports relayed the
Ambassador's clear denial of U.S. involvement in a possible coup
attempt against Lugo as alleged by Venezuelan legislators.
Extensive press coverage also highlighted the show of American
support for Lugo's government in time of crisis, as well as the
Ambassador's comments that while the U.S. had provided training and
equipment for the BCFE, its missions and orders are the exclusive
responsibility of Paraguay.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Post does not currently believe there is
any coup d'etat threat to Lugo from the military. Lugo's frequent
changes in military leadership are unlikely to win him friends
within the armed forces, but they will ensure its continued
obedience to elected civilian leadership. This change also serves
as a concrete response by Lugo to concerns about Paraguay's
security situation. END COMMENT.
AYALDE