US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION411

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000411 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS TO USAID LAC/AA 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON 
NSC FOR KIMBERLY BREIER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, PINR, CU, CO, PA, VE 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO INTRODUCE HUMAN RIGHTS 
PROTOCOL FOR MERCOSUR 
 
REF: A. ASUNCION 00384 
     B. ASUNCION 00257 
     C. STATE 43965 
 
Classified By: DCM Kevin M. Johnson, reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) On March 17, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose 
Martinez publicly announced the GOP's plans to introduce a 
Mercosur human rights protocol that would provide for the 
suspension of any member state that violates human rights. 
The GOP hopes to garner other members' support for the 
protocol in time for the June 2005 Mercosur Summit in 
Asuncion, during Paraguay's current, six-month presidency of 
the organization.  Passage of the protocol would require a 
consensus decision by core members Argentina, Brazil, 
Paraguay and Uruguay. 
 
2. (C) FM Rachid first told Ambassador about the proposed 
protocol in February, noting that it would be useful in 
blocking Cuba from joining Mercosur and could potentially be 
used against Venezuela in the future (ref B).  During a March 
15 meeting with Ambassador, Rachid reiterated her concerns 
about Cuba and Venezuela in the Mercosur context, noting that 
President Chavez continues to push for Cuba to obtain 
observer status, but hinting that Paraguay could prevent 
Cuba's entry by blocking consensus (ref A). 
 
3. (C) Note: In recent weeks, Colombian PolCouns Raul Sanchez 
has repeatedly complained to PolOff about the vocal and 
aggressive nature of the Venezuelan Mercosur delegation's 
participation in recent Mercosur meetings in Asuncion.  In 
contrast to other observer nations, such as Colombia, Sanchez 
said the Venezuelan delegation often tries to run roughshod 
over the proceedings, forcing Venezuela's agenda on even core 
and associate member states in some cases. 
KEANE