US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION846

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000846 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS, DS COMMAND CENTER, DS/DSS, DS/IP, DS/IP/WHA, 
DS/ICI, DS/ICI/PII, DS/ITA, DS/IP/FPO, WHA/BSC, WHA/EX, 
POSTS FOR RSO, ESC AND 
LEGATT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC 
SUBJECT: NON-VIOLENT PROTEST STAGED AT EMBASSY ASUNCION 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. 
 
1. (U) On July 1, at 0915 hours, a demonstration formed in 
front of the U.S. Embassy Compound.  Approximately 100 
persons protested non-violently in what they called a "Call 
for World Action Against Poverty".  The organizers of the 
event indicated that 50 NGO's on social, campesino, 
indigenous, women and children issues in Paraguay were 
participating in the demonstration. 
 
2. (U) Three leaders of the demonstration, Juan Carlos Justa 
Alonso, Dionisio Gauto Galeano, and Victoria Beatriz Peralta 
Rolon, presented the RSO a letter addressed to the U.S. 
Ambassador highlighting their desire that the richest 
countries of the world forgive debt and increase aid 
significantly to the poorest countries.  The leaders 
indicated that their protest was in conjunction with a 
worldwide protest occurring today and that it had nothing to 
do with the Embassy's 4th of July flag raising ceremony that 
had just ended prior to the demonstration.  After the 
demonstrators handed the RSO the letter, the demonstrators 
departed (0946 hrs). 
 
3. (SBU) RSO reacted the MSG's, ARSO, and local guards and 
Embassy National Police assets.  Employees were prohibited 
from entering/leaving the Embassy Compound from the front 
gate area where the protesters were gathered until the 
demonstration concluded. The demonstration was peaceful and 
without incident. 
KEANE