Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ASUNCION3
2010-01-06 20:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
SUPREME COURT ANNULS DECISION, ENDS CRISIS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0003 0062016 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O R 062016Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0371 INFO MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000003
SIPDIS
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/01/06
TAGS: PGOV KJUS PA
SUBJECT: SUPREME COURT ANNULS DECISION, ENDS CRISIS
REF: A. 09 ASUNCION 956; B. 09 ASUNCION 531
CLASSIFIED BY: Joan P. Shaker, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission;
REASON: 1.4(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000003
SIPDIS
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/01/06
TAGS: PGOV KJUS PA
SUBJECT: SUPREME COURT ANNULS DECISION, ENDS CRISIS
REF: A. 09 ASUNCION 956; B. 09 ASUNCION 531
CLASSIFIED BY: Joan P. Shaker, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission;
REASON: 1.4(D)
1. (U) The Supreme Court ended a constitutional crisis
January 5 by annulling the December 31 decision (reftel A) of its
Constitutional Chamber to reinstate two judges impeached by
Congress in 2003. The Court also suspended the three substitute
Constitutional Chamber judges for "exceeding their mandate." The
Court was under severe Congressional pressure, including threats by
Senate President Miguel Carrizosa to impeach the entire bench if
the December 31 decision was not annulled. President Fernando Lugo
and other political actors from across the spectrum welcomed the
development.
2. (C) COMMENT: The Supreme Court backed down in the face of
intense political pressure from legislators and the public. The
scandalously slow and generally corrupt justices, acting swiftly in
their own self-interest, ended the brewing constitutional crisis
and avoided a brutal impeachment fight with Congress. The Court's
decision to suspend the three substitute judges ingratiated the
Court with political parties which continue to negotiate to fill
two vacant seats on the Court (reftel B). Despite their
questionable motivations, the justices did the right thing, and it
is business as usual again in Paraguay. END COMMENT.
HOLLOWAY
SIPDIS
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/01/06
TAGS: PGOV KJUS PA
SUBJECT: SUPREME COURT ANNULS DECISION, ENDS CRISIS
REF: A. 09 ASUNCION 956; B. 09 ASUNCION 531
CLASSIFIED BY: Joan P. Shaker, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission;
REASON: 1.4(D)
1. (U) The Supreme Court ended a constitutional crisis
January 5 by annulling the December 31 decision (reftel A) of its
Constitutional Chamber to reinstate two judges impeached by
Congress in 2003. The Court also suspended the three substitute
Constitutional Chamber judges for "exceeding their mandate." The
Court was under severe Congressional pressure, including threats by
Senate President Miguel Carrizosa to impeach the entire bench if
the December 31 decision was not annulled. President Fernando Lugo
and other political actors from across the spectrum welcomed the
development.
2. (C) COMMENT: The Supreme Court backed down in the face of
intense political pressure from legislators and the public. The
scandalously slow and generally corrupt justices, acting swiftly in
their own self-interest, ended the brewing constitutional crisis
and avoided a brutal impeachment fight with Congress. The Court's
decision to suspend the three substitute judges ingratiated the
Court with political parties which continue to negotiate to fill
two vacant seats on the Court (reftel B). Despite their
questionable motivations, the justices did the right thing, and it
is business as usual again in Paraguay. END COMMENT.
HOLLOWAY