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Asuncion, Jul 1 (Prensa Latina) The Paraguayan government opened its doors to
a US military contingent comprised of planes, weapons, equipment and ammunition,
which arrived in Paraguay after the National Congress granted immunity to US soldiers.
US Ambassador to Asuncion Francis Keane informed Friday his country would give
Paraguay financial assistance to fight corruption, money laundering and terrorism.
This group is the first of a total of 13, with the possibility the number may
increase, and will stay in Paraguay until December 31 2006, as determined by
the Commission of Constitutional Affairs of the Paraguayan Senate.
The request had been sent to the Ministry of National Defense, after an agreement
came into force on June 1 granting US troops total immunity in Paraguay.
Besides having the same prerogatives of a diplomat, these soldiers will not
be held accountable for damages caused to public health, the environment or
the country's resources.
Medical registrations and driving licenses these soldiers bring from their
native country will also be automatically recognized.
This concession, and the progressive increase of Pentagon forces in Paraguay,
has caused alarm in political and social circles, and constitutes one of the
strongest US blows to the South Common Market (MERCOSUR), humanitarian and social
organizations in Argentina told the Paraguayan press.
Nobody doubts these soldiers will make incursions on the Triple Border Zone
(Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina), chosen by Washington to install a military
camp with rapid response troops.
In Mariscal Estigarribia, close to the Paraguayan border with Bolivia, there
is an airport built by the US for landing of B-52 and Galaxy planes, which are
designed to transport large consignments of troops and weapons.