US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1383

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001383 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR WHA A/S SHANNON, PDAS SHAPIRO, AND DAS DUDDY 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD BARBARA MOORE 
NSC FOR SUE CRONIN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, PA 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: VICE PRESIDENT ASKS CHARGE TO DELAY 
VISIT BY GENERAL CRADDOCK 
 
 
1. (SBU) Vice President Castiglioni (Acting President and our 
strongest supporter within the GOP) asked Charge directly 
11/2 to delay visit by General Craddock until after the 
Colorado internal elections February 19, 2006. 
 
2. (SBU) Castiglioni said the current atmosphere in Paraguay 
and the region would lead the visit (at this time) to be a 
net minus for US-Paraguay relations, adding to anti-US 
sentiment and fueling attacks on pro-US politicians both 
within the Colorado party and from outside (such as the 
anti-US President of Congress).  This is due to the 
cumulative effect of high-level visits, the surprise 
emergence of a strong opponent to President Duarte in 
internal Colorado elections, and the disinformation campaign 
about the USG's alleged plans to establish military bases in 
Paraguay, steal water from the Guarani aquifer, use a planned 
new FBI office in Asuncion to spy on the region, etc. 
Castiglioni was not/not alarmist on this score at all, but 
clearly said it would be better to wait. 
 
3. (SBU) Due to the above, and other regional considerations 
(Bolivian elections, symbolism of Combatant Commander 
visiting ONLY Paraguay within South America on this trip, 
etc.), Post favors delaying the visit and having the stop 
here included in visits to other countries in the region, if 
possible. 
 
4. (SBU) However, if Department so instructs, Post believes 
we can convince the GOP to accept the Combatant Commander's 
visit in December as planned, or in January if Department 
wishes to address the Bolivia angle but not the Paraguay one. 
 If so, due to the problematical timing of the visit, Post 
requests: 
 
-- visit be low key and appointments no higher than MOD; 
 
-- visit be restricted to Asuncion (currently plans to go to 
Tri-Border Area (TBA) and see Itaipu Dam, which would fuel 
flames of US military designs on that region, strengthen 
conspiracy theories, irritate Brazil and thus expose pro-US 
players within GOP to internal attacks); 
 
-- visit be portrayed to press as routine and that it not/not 
publicly emphasize counter-terrorism or TBA. 
 
5. (SBU) Post requests Department guidance on how to proceed. 
 Post will make work whichever path Washington selects. 
JOHNSON