Cablegate: Paraguay Will Accept Cuban Migrant

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAC #0394 1691327
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 171327Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7008
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0178

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000394

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR PRM RGEHRING, PRM RMACKLER, AND WHA/BSC KBEAMER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV SMIG CU PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY WILL ACCEPT CUBAN MIGRANT

REF: STATE 56379

1. (SBU) PolOff delivered reftel demarche June 9 to the
Foreign Ministry's Director General of Consular Affairs
Felipe Robertti and Passports and Consular Services Director
Raul Montiel Gasto. Robertti, who also serves as president
of the National Commission for Refugees, affirmed that the
Paraguayan government would accept Cuban migrant Osmar Lopez
Gonzalo and provide him with migrant documentation. Robertti
affirmed Lopez would not be returned to Cuba. Montiel stated
that the tourist visa issued to Lopez in 2004 would not be
valid for immigration purposes but that the Foreign Ministry
would issue Lopez the proper visa to immigrate to Paraguay.

2. (SBU) Robertti noted that Cuban immigrants in Paraguay
often experience difficulties finding gainful employment and
adjusting to life. He noted that Lopez would have a better
chance at successfully resettling in Paraguay with the
support of his family (reftel). (NOTE: Three of seven
Cubans who immigrated in November 2006 remain in Paraguay.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Paraguay
Office Director Guillermo Sosa told PolOff in November 2007
that the remainder relocated to the United States. Michael
Ledesma Perez -- one of the seven Cuban emigrees still living
in Paraguay -- told PolOff in April that neither the
Paraguayan government nor the IOM had properly assisted him
with resettlement. END NOTE.)

3. (SBU) Robertti requested a copy of Lopez' personal
information provided by PRM to assist the Paraguayan
government in issuing him a new visa. Please provide to
Embassy POC for this request: Embassy Asuncion Human Rights
Officer Michael Edwards, telephone: 011-595-21-213-715,
e-mail: edwardsmg@state.gov.

Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion

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