Thread: WIKILEAKS: US Diplomatic Cable Predicts Paraguay Coup

A Wikileaks diplomatic cable indicates the US knew about, anticipated, or predicted the possibility of the recent coup in Paraguay.

Such information is necessary for the citizenry to operate effectively in a democracy.


http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/03/09ASUNCION189.html#

(THE FOLLOWING IS POSTED LEGALLY UNDER "FAIR USE" WHEREBY SMALL EXCERPTS OF PROTECTED MATERIAL WHICH ARE ALREADY WIDELY DISSEMINATED INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN MAY BE REFERRED TO IN NEWS STORIES UNDER RIGHTS OF THE FREEDOM OF PRESS)

Classified By: DCM Michael J. Fitzpatrick; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Rumors persist that discredited General and
UNACE party leader Lino Oviedo and ex-president Nicanor
Duarte Frutos are now working together to assume power via
(mostly) legal means should President Lugo stumble in coming
months. Their goal: Capitalize on any Lugo mis-steps to
break the political deadlock in Congress, impeach Lugo and
assure their own political supremacy. While many predicted
political shenanigans in March during the traditional social
protest season that accompanies the opening of Congress,
little has come of it (largely because Lugo has been careful
not to provide the political or legal rope with which to hang
him, thus depriving Oviedo and Duarte the numbers in Congress
for their supposed "democratic coup"). But that could change
quickly here. Mid-March outrage over multi-million dollar
subsidies for sesame growers via a discredited NGO was
considered as a possible ground for ...

Interestingly it also predicted the succession of Frederico Franco to President, which came true... AND it makes a prediction as to the outcome of further elections: The opposition candidates who instigated the coup (one of whom is a military figure) leading congress, controlling the courts, and gaining the Vice Presidency.

Myself... I think they will wise up and not allow a monopoly.


The presidential baton would thus, in this scenario, pass to
Vice President Federico Franco, who would be
constituitionally required to call vice-presidential
elections within 90 days. Given the institutional collapse
and political fratricide reigning now within the Colorado
Party, Oviedo would be the obvious leading candidate.
Meanwhile, Duarte, having regained his Senate seat via
Supreme Court maneuvering, would assume the Senate presidency
and become number three in the line of presidential
succession. The Liberal Franco would be President, but
Oviedo and Duarte would control Congress -- and the courts.

Originally Posted by Mandrake

Posts of newsworthy items current in the last 72 hours.

The coup in Paraguay is obviously recent news.

Revelation that the US predicted it with reference to the WIKILEAKS cable was posted TODAY in the news media "Democracy Now".

Moreover, you are not a moderator. Your pretend moderation is disappointing.

I am surprised you would not break out the popcorn and watch the events unfold as an informed citizen.