US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION838

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000838 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/BSC 
NSC FOR KIM BREIER 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2015 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, KPKO, HA, SP, PA 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY SEEKS PARTICIPATION ON SPAIN'S CONTINGENT 
TO PKO HAITI 
 
REF: ASUNCION 748 
 
Classified By: Polcouns James P. Merz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C)  As reported reftel, GOP military officials have been 
in contact with Spain regarding assistance to support 
Paraguayan participation in Spain's PKO contingent in Haiti. 
On 6/28, Paraguay's MOD Gonzalez sent a letter to his Spanish 
counterpart formally expressing the GOP's desire to 
participate in Spain's PKO outfit in Haiti and requesting 
assistance both in terms of certain items including basic 
equipment, munitions, individual weapons, and communication 
and computer (laptop) equipment, as well as training. 
Provided Paraguay received the assistance it needed from 
Spain, Air Force Assistant to the Ministry of Defense Col. 
Escurra told the U.S. MilGroup Commander that Paraguay was 
looking at deploying by air in the December time frame 
tracking with the current relief schedule. 
 
2.  (C)  Spain's DCM in Paraguay Dolores Rios confirmed that 
Spain has informally signaled a willingness to help Paraguay 
meet some but not all of its basic equipment needs.  Col. 
Escurra identified munitions, weapons, and communications 
equipment as areas where some of Paraguay's requests would 
not be met by Spain. 
 
3.  (C)  On 6/24, Chief of Military Forces Kanazawa told 
Ambassador that MOD to MOD agreement was the next step, 
following the technical discussions between the armed forces. 
 Kanazawa expressed disappointment that Spain had said it 
would provide some equipment but that this would fall 
significantly short of the GOP's needs, including the items 
mentioned above plus "logistical" support such as transport 
to Haiti and other operational costs.  Kanazawa added that 
the Armed Forces have a zero budget for peacekeeping 
operations and relies one hundred percent on others to 
support GOP PKO initiatives.  In that context, he lamented 
that the UN will not advance funds and that its reimbursement 
arrives twelve months after an expense is incurred.  He made 
it appear that the GOP would be violating the law, or, at a 
minimum criticized, if it expended its own funds, not 
provided for in the Congressionally approved budget on PKO 
initiatives. 
 
4.  (C)  Comment: Paraguay has long expressed willingness to 
deploy to Haiti, going as far as obtaining Congressional 
approval for the Mission, but only if provided significant 
assistance.  Initial talks with Brazil and Chile were 
unsuccessful.  Given the Paraguayan MOD's formal approach to 
Spain, Department may wish to ask Embassy Madrid to consult 
Spanish officials. 
KEANE