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STATEMENT OF EXPLANATION FOR THE VITAL NATIONAL
INTEREST CERTIFICATION FOR PARAGUAY
Up to 40 metric tons of primarily Bolivian cocaine are estimated to transit
Paraguay annually, en route through Argentina and Brazil to the United States,
Europe and Africa. Paraguay is also a source country for high-quality marijuana.
Significant money laundering occurs, but it is unclear what portion is drug-
related.
In 1998, Paraguay signed a new bilateral extradition treaty with the United
States that includes extradition of nationals. Modest improvements in
counter-narcotics performance were achieved after the inauguration of the Cubas
administration in August, such as the seizure of 215 kilograms of cocaine (more
than the previous two years combined) and arrests of numerous low-level
narcotics traffickers.
However, the Government of Paraguay (GOP) failed to accomplish the majority
of the agreed-upon counter-narcotics goals for 1998 in a manner sufficient for
full certification. Paraguay did not implement its national drug control
strategy through effective investigations leading to the arrest and prosecution
of major drug traffickers, corrupt officials and their associates; drafted, but
did not pass a revised anti-drug statute which includes provisions authorizing
controlled deliveries and undercover operations, and criminalizes drug-related
conspiracy; failed to effectively implement the new money-laundering statute;
and failed to develop an effective anti-drug and organized crime investigative
and operational capability for the tri-border area. In part, these shortcomings
stem from the country having been distracted by the May elections and later by
continued political turmoil over the status of former Army Commander, and
unsuccessful 1996 coup plotter, Lino Oviedo.
Denial of certification would, however, cut off assistance programs designed
to meet the priority USG goal of strengthening Paraguay's democratic
institutions and civil-military relations. This would reduce USG support for
Paraguay's democracy at a time when it is being tested by conflict between the
executive branch and the legislative and judicial branches, and calls by some
Paraguayans for extra constitutional measures. Denial of certification would also
jeopardize ongoing cooperation and assistance programs with the GOP against
other key areas such as intellectual property piracy and terrorism. Moreover,
vital national interests certification would help promote the political will and
positive action against narcotics trafficking that we continue to seek from the
Cuba administration.
The risks posed to the totality of U.S. interests (i.e., promoting democracy,
cooperation against intellectual piracy and continued counter-terrorism
cooperation) by a cutoff of bilateral assistance outweigh the risks posed by
GOP's failure to cooperate fully with the USG, or to take fully adequate steps
to combat narcotics on its own.
Paraguayan counter-narcotics and anti-money laundering institutions
need to be strengthened and given independence from political institutions and
intrigue. With strong civilian leadership and cooperation among the President,
congress and the courts, as well as adequate resources and legal authorities,
the GOP could achieve all of its stated goals.
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