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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000903 
 
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NSC FOR SUE CRONIN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2026 
TAGS: PREL CVIS ECON UNGA ETRD PINR PGOV MARR PY
SUBJECT: NEW PARAGUAYAN FOREIGN MINISTER GETS DOWN TO 
BUSINESS WITH THE AMBASSADOR 
 
REF: ASUNCION 862 
 
Classified By: AMB JAMES C. CASON:  REASONS 1.4 (B AND D) 
 
 ¶1.  (C)  SUMMARY:  Ambassador Cason met August 25 with 
Paraguay,s new Foreign Minister, Ruben Ramirez Lezcano Among 
the topics were discussed access to U.S. markets, visa 
reciprocity, Cuban refugees, U.S. military exercises and the 
upcoming UNGA meeting.   President Duarte and FM Ramirez will 
both attend the UNGA.  Ramirez (a career diplomat and most 
recently the MFA,s Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and 
Integration) demonstrated a refreshingly direct and 
constructive style in seeking to cut through a number of 
bilateral issues left unresolved during his predecessor's 
tenure.  ACTION REQUEST:  See para 9.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Expanding Access to U.S. Markets is a GOP Priority 
 
¶2.  (C)  Ambassador called on new Foreign Minister Ruben 
Ramirez Lezcano August 25.  Ramirez, who had been sworn in 
only on the 22nd, began the meeting by telling the Ambassador 
that one of Paraguay,s top priorities is access to U.S. 
markets.  He further stated that this was very important to 
President Duarte and asked for a positive sign and/or message 
from the USG regarding commerce. 
 
¶3.  (C)  Ramirez asked what Uruguay was doing regarding a 
trade agreement.   The Ambassador replied that Uruguay was 
holding internal discussions about how best to deepen its 
trade relations with the U.S. but that it was not yet clear 
to the USG how negotiations would devolve.  The Ambassador 
also pointed out that the expiration of Trade Promotion 
Authority in 2007 complicates efforts to enter into trade 
negotiations with new partners. 
 
¶4.  (C)  The Ambassador told Ramirez that it was important 
that Paraguay take advantage of current marketing 
opportunities in the U.S. For example, it might consider 
assigning an agricultural attach to the U.S. to liaise with 
counterparts in Washington to move forward the 
Sanitary-Phytosanitary approval process for eventual 
Paraguayan exports of beef to the US.  The Ambassador 
similarly noted the potential of stevia (also known as Ka,a 
he,e), which is a noncaloric herb native to Paraguay that 
has been used as a sweetener for many years).   The 
Ambassador informed the FM that U.S. demand for Stevia is 
much greater than available supply and that Paraguay needs to 
find a way to first increase production.  Stevia is sold as a 
supplement all over the U.S., and the Ambassador told Ramirez 
of recent U.S investor interest in marketing stevia in the US 
as a sweetener for diabetics.  These steps could be taken 
now, without needing to pursue approval for the use of stevia 
as a food additive. 
 
Victory on Visas 
 
¶5.  (C)  After a four-year long campaign with the GOP to 
issue reciprocal visas to American citizens the new Foreign 
Minister told the Ambassador that he recognized the need to 
establish reciprocity.  Ramirez further stated that a 
circular will be sent out immediately from the Ministry of 
Foreign Relations to all Paraguayan Consulates instructing 
Consular officers to issue all AmCits visas to the validity 
of their passports.  Paraguay will no longer issue one-entry 
3-month visas for a $45.00 fee.  All visas will cost $65.00 
and all visas will be for multiple entries.  The Minister 
asked the Ambassador for U.S. Consul's collaboration to 
assist  his Ministry to brainstorm/develop a new system for 
visas or other documents to facilitate entry into Paraguay, 
perhaps an internet based document that would preclude the 
need for an applicant to appear in person at an Embassy. 
 
Cuba and Cuban Refugees 
 
¶6.  (C)  The Foreign Minister asked for and Ambassador 
provided U.S. views on developments in Cuba (i.e. Castro,s 
illness), and several transitional or succession scenarios. 
The Ambassador told Ramirez that former Paraguayan Foreign 
Minister Leila Rachid had not responded to his request for 
Paraguay to take Cuban refugees from Guantanamo.  The 
Ambassador was informed that the request had to go through 
the Refugee Commission but Ramirez promised to follow-up and 
respond directly to the Ambassador.  (COMMENT:  The Minister 
appeared favorably disposed to the request. END COMMENT.) 
 
MFA Skittish about Military Exercises Agreement 
 
¶7.  (C)  The Ambassador advised that the U.S. needs a 
decision soonest regarding whether the Executive Branch plans 
to ask Congress to approve the proposed CY07 military 
exercise program.  This represents  a high priority to the 
USG.   Ramirez said that the GOP is having difficulty in 
granting immunity to U.S. participants in writing and they 
are looking for ways to artfully address this issue in our 
agreement.  Ambassador Cason said that most agreements with 
other countries grant our soldiers Administrative and 
Technical (A&T) status.  Ramirez explained that the MFA is 
skittish about Brazilian, Argentine and local opposition to a 
renewed exercise program.  The trick will be to find wording 
that provides A&T status in a way that critics cannot use it 
to say the GOP has given us &impunity.8  The Ambassador 
said his sense is that the Paraguayan Congress will authorize 
a new round of exercises, so we need to get &wordsmithing8 
done ASAP to get the accords to Congress. 
 
U.N. General Assembly 
 
¶8.  (C)  Both President Duarte and the Foreign Minister will 
attend the upcoming UNGA.  We asked for the GOP to forward a 
list of attendees soonest.  The Ambassador suggested that the 
FM also meet with &Friends of Paraguay8 in Congress. 
 
¶9.  (C)  ACTION REQUEST:  Ramirez mentioned that he will be 
in Washington after the UNGA and requested a meeting, if 
possible, with Secretary Rice.  The Ambassador said we would 
do everything possible; he noted, however, she may not be 
available.  The Ambassador requests that the new FM be 
afforded a meeting with as senior a USG representative as 
possible (Under Secretary or a Deputy Secretary).  The FM 
would be willing to visit Washington at a later date to 
accommodate scheduling with senior officials.  Please advise. 
 END ACTION REQUEST. 
 
¶10.  (C)  COMMENT:  Foreign Minister Ramirez appears much 
more decisive than his predecessor, and told a group that 
included the Economic Counselor on his first day in office 
that he bases his decisions on reason and not on emotion. 
Ramirez holds an MBA from UCLA and was Paraguay,s Consul 
General in Los Angeles.  Post has reason to expect him to be 
more straightforward and focused as an interlocutor 
advocating GOP interests than was his predecessor.   END 
COMMENT. 
 
CASON 
CASON