US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1108

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001108 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, MARR, PINR, IZ, PA 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: ADDRESSING ANTI-U.S. RHETORIC 
 
REF: A. ASUNCION 1075 
     B. ASUNCION 1048 
     C. ASUNCION 1046 
 
Classified By: Ambassador John F. Keane for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  Sept. 1 DCM told Patria Querida Party Vice 
President Daniel Codas that the USG objected to disrespectful 
and inaccurate statements about U.S. policy by its 
legislators.  Codas denied that PQ had changed its basically 
pro-U.S. stance but agreed that some legislators had crossed 
the line in their criticism of SecDef.  He agreed to pass our 
message on to party leaders.  A conspiratorial and 
transactional culture and immature political system can lead 
to exaggerated skepticisms of U.S. action, even among our 
friends.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (C) September 1 DCM asked Patria Querida (PQ) party VP 
Daniel Codas to explain recent anti-U.S. statements by his 
party,s legislators (reftels), protesting their 
disrespectful tone and inaccurate content, and asking if they 
reflect a reorientation of PQ,s centrist, reformist 
orientation.  Examples include Deputy Lacognata,s calling 
SecDef a "war criminal," Deputy Acha,s openly criticizing 
the visit on the Congressional floor, Senator Mendoza de 
Acha,s call for a formal explanation of SecDef,s visit and 
caution that supporting U.S. policy was dangerous for 
Paraguay, and Senator Duarte,s statement that "the U.S. is 
only interested in oil and water resources" and SecDef visit 
was "an embarrassment for the nation." 
 
3.  (C) DCM stressed that PQ was free to form and voice its 
own opinions, but that the U.S. would judge the party by its 
actions and wanted them to know of our concerns.  Respectful 
disagreement with U.S. policy was very different from calling 
us war criminals; allegations that U.S. policy was to steal 
oil or water from weak nations played into hysterical 
misinformation campaigns unworthy of a serious party.  In 
addition, these comments showed lack of understanding of 
bilateral relations and the reasons for SecDef,s visit. 
 
4.  (C) Codas said PQ remained a center-right party, but with 
a significant leftist minority.  A recent proposal to seek 
observer (but not member) status within the Socialist 
International was dropped when a PQ majority objected, he 
continued, but PQ seeks good relations with parties across 
the political spectrum.  He denied that PQ had in any way 
changed its basically pro-U.S. position, but admitted that 
SecDef polarized the party.  Some, such as Lacognata, were 
committed leftists, unlikely to change and basically opposed 
to U.S. foreign policy.  Others such as Duarte, had leftist 
tendencies accentuated by reaction to Iraq.  Acha (a recent 
IV) was young and bright, with leftist tendencies but worth 
cultivating and subject to reason.  Mendoza de Acha, he 
stressed, had stated the PQ position, which was to:  1) 
criticize GOP foreign policy in general as disoriented, 
inconsistent, and dismally unsuccessful; 2) seek an 
explanation as to why SecDef came; 3) warn of the angers 
prompted by identifying with U.S. policies that could make 
Paraguay a terrorist target. 
 
5.  (C) Duarte said PQ was wary of calls to abandon MERCOSUR, 
whatever its failings; if the GOP had a logical plan to 
improve ties to the U.S., that was fine, he said, but PQ 
suspected that President Duarte was flailing around rather 
than thinking strategically, and PQ would attack him for 
that.  On SecDef, he said that the most critical elements 
within PQ had chosen to speak out, giving a false impression 
of the party,s views.  In addition, he acknowledged that 
some crossed the line from legitimate disagreement to insults 
and misinformation.  He said he understood our message and 
would pass it on. 
 
6.  (C) DCM concluded with an explanation of U.S. policy, the 
reasons for SecDef,s visit, and an offer to answer PQ 
questions whenever they arise.  Reiterating that PQ was free 
to voice its opinions, he stressed that the USG simply wished 
to understand PQ,s stance and to request respect and 
avoidance of misinformation which fueled anti-Americanism. 
DCM mentioned that he had also raised the issue briefly with 
PQ Senator Miguel Carrizosa and that the Ambassador would 
raise it with PQ President Pedro Fadul.  Codas said he 
appreciated our direct approach.  He suggested that: 
follow-up with Deputy Lacognata would be a waste of time; he 
would speak to Senator Duarte, who can be difficult, and 
Embassy could follow-up later; a POL meeting with Senator 
Mendoza de Acha to explain our views would be useful; further 
contact with Deputy Acha is called for.  He would brief PQ 
leader Fadul. 
 
7.  (C) Comment:  This issue demonstrates Paraguay,s 
immature and dysfunctional political system and 
conspiratorial culture.  Most political parties stand for 
little or nothing ideologically and tactical moves and 
alliances dominate the scene.  In addition, the lack of 
sophistication and understanding of the basics of foreign 
relations (even among the elite) foments the crassest of 
conspiracy theories (e.g. the US is planning to steal 
Paraguay,s water supply.)  Even those who laugh at such 
conspiracies are not beyond utilizing them for their own 
agenda (nudging Brazil to be more supportive, for example.) 
These factors and the "transactional culture" here (The US 
must be after something secret) combine to heighten 
suspicions of U.S. actions, even among our friends. 
Ironically, Brazil and Argentina have badly overplayed their 
hands in publicly humiliating the GOP by demanding an 
explanation for SecDef,s visit; this temporarily put 
nationalist sentiment on our side. 
KEANE