Our White Guard Paraguay

Russia opens two new embassies

Yesterday the Russian government decided to establish embassies in Paraguay and Guatemala this year. The order to open diplomatic missions in these countries was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Guatemala were established back in April 1945, but during the Cold War they were frozen until 1991. Russia established diplomatic relations with Paraguay only in May 1992.

Deputy Director of the Latin America Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Yan Burlyai explained to Vremya Novostei: “Russia has diplomatic relations with all 33 countries of the continent, but there are embassies only in 17 countries of Latin America. We intend to open new diplomatic missions this year. Next on our radar is the establishment of a Russian diplomatic mission in the Dominican Republic. We are waiting for the government’s decision, which will determine whether this will be an embassy or a consulate.”

Mr. Burlyai told VN that Paraguay is showing interest in purchasing Russian road equipment, motorcycles, river boats and small arms through barter through counter supplies of agricultural products. The Paraguayans are interested in Russian participation in establishing permanent navigation on the Parana and Paraguay rivers and in cooperation in national gas projects. The Association of Immigrants from Russia and Their Descendants, which mainly includes descendants of Russian white officers, is active in the country. Among them were doctors, teachers of military academies, and fortifiers who made a significant contribution to the development of Paraguay. Russians in Paraguay founded the first university, their wives founded the first ballet school. The capital's streets are named after Russian officers who distinguished themselves in the war between Paraguay and Bolivia of 1932-1935.

“I was ambassador to Argentina, and since 1993, I have also served as the first Russian ambassador to Paraguay. This situation has remained until now,” Mr. Burlyai told VN. The diplomat explained that currently the Russian Ambassador to Costa Rica is simultaneously accredited to Guatemala.

According to our interlocutor, numerous monuments of the ancient Mayan civilization, rich folk traditions and colorful costumes of the descendants of the Indians attract Russian tourists to Guatemala. A small number of Russian citizens permanently reside in Guatemala and are in need of legal protection.

Deputy Director of the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vadim Teperman, in a conversation with VN, noted that the opening of Russian embassies in Paraguay and Guatemala is long overdue: “Decent demands this. The Guatemalan embassy has been operating in Moscow since the early 90s; the Guatemalan ambassador was even a doyen at one time. Paraguay also opened its embassy in Moscow.” The expert notes that contacts with the influential Russian diaspora in Paraguay will help Russia strengthen ties not only with Paraguay, but also with other countries of the continent.

Back in the 1990s, Russia stopped dividing Latin American states into “ours” and “minions of imperialism”; diplomatic relations were established with all states, although embassies have not yet been opened everywhere since then. “This is normal diplomatic practice. The Russian ambassador to Jamaica, for example, is also the ambassador to Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda. The Ambassador to Mexico combines duties with the position of Ambassador to Belize,” noted Mr. Teperman.

Victor VOLODIN