COLOMBIA WILL CONSIDER OBSERVERS FOR BOLIVIAN

UNCLAS BOGOTA 011115 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/AND AND WHA/USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIA WILL CONSIDER OBSERVERS FOR BOLIVIAN ELECTIONS IF GOB MAKES FORMAL REQUEST REF: STATE 214591 ¶1. Poloffs delivered reftel demarche to MFA Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean Hector Arenas Neira and Bolivia desk officer Marcela Rodriguez on November 30, stressing the need for additional observers for Bolivia's December 18 general elections. Poloffs noted that the Government of Bolivia has requested bilateral observers to complement the OAS mission and that the U.S. supported this request as a means to strengthen Bolivia's democratic institutions and processes. Arenas said Horacio Serpa, Liberal Party presidential pre-candidate, would participate in the OAS mission. He also said the GOC did not have any current plans to send bilateral observers; however, if the GOC received a formal request from the GOB, the GOC would consider it. ¶2. Poloff informed local Bolivian Minister Counselor Victor Marquez of the meeting with Arenas and provided a copy of the talking points. Marquez appreciated U.S. assistance, but was not able to attend the meeting due to staffing issues at the Bolivian Embassy. After the Arenas meeting, Poloff told Marquez the GOC would prefer a direct request for observers from the GOB. On December 1, Marquez said he passed this information to the Bolivian MFA. DRUCKER