US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1042

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 001042 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON 
NSC FOR SUE CRONIN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, KPKO, PA, HA, SP 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY ON LATAM CONTINGENTS REMAINING IN HAITI 
FOR THE LONG TERM 
 
REF: A. STATE 149277 
 
     B. ASUNCION PA IIR 6 875 0057 05 (23 MAY 05) 
 
Classified By: POL Chief James P. Merz for reasons of 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (U) On 8/17, PolOff delivered reftel demarche (ref A) to 
MFA Americas Director Cynthia Filartiga and MFA International 
Organizations Director Julio Peralta.  Peralta advised that 
Paraguay is still discussing with Spain the possibility of 
equipment and materiel support for Paraguayan troops to join 
the Spanish contingent participating in MINUSTAH (ref B).  In 
early July, the GOP sent a letter to the Spanish MOD 
requesting such support.  The GOP does not expect to receive 
a response from the GOS until September, however, since "it 
is vacation season in Spain." 
 
2. (C) Separately, in a meeting with SECDEF Rumsfeld on 
August 17th, Defense Minister Roberto Gonzalez described GOP 
efforts to obtain assistance from Spain  and appealed to the 
U.S. for support.  SECDEF reminded Gonzalez that the GOP's 
decision to sign an Article 98 agreement would facilitate 
delivery of assistance.  ODC reps advised that the Embassy 
was exploring avenues for assistance. 
 
3. (SBU) Comment: The fact that Paraguay continues to pursue 
support for Paraguayan troops to participate in MINUSTAH 
suggests that the GOP agrees that Latin American Troop 
Contributing Countries must remain steadfast about military 
commitments to MINUSTAH.  The Ambassador will raise the issue 
in his next meeting with FM Rachid. 
KEANE