Monday, June 25, 2012

'Our Gov't is totally legitimate,' Paraguay’s Franco

Paraguay’s Vice-President Federico Franco told reporters today that his government “is totally legitimate” and remembered that he as the ousted President Fernando Lugo was “also elected by the people of this country.”

Asked about Argentina’s decision to pull out its ambassador, not recognize the new government, and withdraw the official invitation to Paraguay for this Friday’s Mercosur summit in Mendoza, where Lugo would attend as a special guest to explain the situation in the neighbouring country; Franco explained: “I understand and respect Argentina’s decisions, and we hope to recompose the relationship as soon as possible.”

To conclude, Franco remarked, “Our government is normal. I was elected by the people of Paraguay as well and so far, our goal is to organize the country.”

On regards Paraguay’s recently appointed Foreign Minister José Fernández Estigarribia said yesterday that Ambassador Rafael Romá, who was withdrawn by the Argentine government on Saturday following Fernando Lugo’s impeachment last Friday, had already finished his diplomatic mission in Paraguay two months ago, saying: “How can a government official who isn’t here be withdrawn?”

“The statement issued by Foreign Ministry said that Argentina withdrew its ambassador, but what Ambassador? There is no Argentine ambassador. Three or two months ago we said our farewells to Ambassador Romá, there was a ceremony, and he left,” the new Paraguayan Foreign Minister told Radio 10 when asked about the decision of the government of Cristina Fernández de Kircherner to withdraw its top diplomat in that country after the impeachment of Fernando Lugo.