Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK1151
2009-12-23 19:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:
PARAGUAY PR DOS SANTOS COURTESY CALL WITH RICE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #1151 3571927 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231927Z DEC 09 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7904 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION PRIORITY 0008 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1221 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0007 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 0024
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 001151
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PA XM
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY PR DOS SANTOS COURTESY CALL WITH RICE
Classified By: Ambassador Rice for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 001151
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PA XM
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY PR DOS SANTOS COURTESY CALL WITH RICE
Classified By: Ambassador Rice for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) During a December 9 courtesy call with Ambassador
Rice, Paraguayan PermRep Jose Antonio dos Santos said that
Paraguay's priorities at the UN include peacekeeping and
human rights issues. He commented that multilateralism is
the "only way a small country like Paraguay can be heard."
Within the UN, Dos Santos noted that Paraguay has followed
the debate on UNSC reform and adopted a "neutral" position,
closer to the Uniting for Consensus group (along with
Argentina and Mexico). Dos Santos also commented that GRULAC
should be reformed to reflect current realities, adding that
it has become overly focused on UN candidacies. On human
rights, Ambassador Rice said that it is important for the
U.S. and Paraguay to build on common ground and stand on
principle on upcoming human rights resolutions, especially on
Iran. Failure to do so questions the institution's
credibility.
2. (C) Dos Santos agreed on the importance of credibility and
as an example, raised the GA's resolution condemning the
Honduran coup, "which did not have the desired effect."
Responding to Rice's question on Paraguay's stance on the
issue, Dos Santos replied that Paraguay aligned itself with
Brazil and Argentina in disavowing elections in a recent
MERCOSUR statement. He said that MERCOSUR wanted one voice
on Honduras, but suggested that Paraguay wanted Honduras to
find its own path. On a personal note, Dos Santos opined
that Honduras should "just move ahead."
3. (SBU) Rice stressed the importance of moving beyond bloc
politics, emphasizing the need for member states to recognize
that they can either "play theater, or take advantage of the
real opportunity to get something done." Dos Santos agreed,
adding that he hopes Paraguay can show, through its voting
record in the GA, "that we are independent and follow our own
path."
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PA XM
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY PR DOS SANTOS COURTESY CALL WITH RICE
Classified By: Ambassador Rice for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) During a December 9 courtesy call with Ambassador
Rice, Paraguayan PermRep Jose Antonio dos Santos said that
Paraguay's priorities at the UN include peacekeeping and
human rights issues. He commented that multilateralism is
the "only way a small country like Paraguay can be heard."
Within the UN, Dos Santos noted that Paraguay has followed
the debate on UNSC reform and adopted a "neutral" position,
closer to the Uniting for Consensus group (along with
Argentina and Mexico). Dos Santos also commented that GRULAC
should be reformed to reflect current realities, adding that
it has become overly focused on UN candidacies. On human
rights, Ambassador Rice said that it is important for the
U.S. and Paraguay to build on common ground and stand on
principle on upcoming human rights resolutions, especially on
Iran. Failure to do so questions the institution's
credibility.
2. (C) Dos Santos agreed on the importance of credibility and
as an example, raised the GA's resolution condemning the
Honduran coup, "which did not have the desired effect."
Responding to Rice's question on Paraguay's stance on the
issue, Dos Santos replied that Paraguay aligned itself with
Brazil and Argentina in disavowing elections in a recent
MERCOSUR statement. He said that MERCOSUR wanted one voice
on Honduras, but suggested that Paraguay wanted Honduras to
find its own path. On a personal note, Dos Santos opined
that Honduras should "just move ahead."
3. (SBU) Rice stressed the importance of moving beyond bloc
politics, emphasizing the need for member states to recognize
that they can either "play theater, or take advantage of the
real opportunity to get something done." Dos Santos agreed,
adding that he hopes Paraguay can show, through its voting
record in the GA, "that we are independent and follow our own
path."
RICE