91999E0987

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0987/99

by Luigi Colajanni (PSE) , Roberto Speciale (PSE) and Andrea Manzella (PSE) to the Commission

(15 April 1999)

Subject: The assassination of the Vice-President of Paraguay

In view of the assassination of the Vice-President of Paraguay, Luis Argana, by a commando of four men on the morning of 23 March 1999, can the Commission say what steps the European Union will take to ensure that the democratic process in Paraguay is not halted and that constitutional order is reestablished with adequate guarantees?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

Following the assassination of the Paraguayan Vice-President, Mr Luis Argaña, the country's president-elect, Mr Raúl Cubas, resigned. In such circumstances, Paraguay's constitution provides for the speaker of the national congress to take over the presidency.

Mr Luis Angel González Macchi duly took office and immediately appointed a government of national unity from among Paraguay's democratic parties.

This is the first government in Paraguay's history not to be drawn exclusively from the Colorado party. It includes representatives of the Liberal and centre-left Encuentro Nacional parties. This has inspired considerable hope in Paraguay's young democracy, a hope that the Commission is willing to help sustain, with due regard for the country's sovereignty.