ANDEAN COMMUNITY ISSUES STATEMENT SUPPORTING

UNCLAS LIMA 002571 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR WHA/AND E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PE BL SUBJECT: ANDEAN COMMUNITY ISSUES STATEMENT SUPPORTING BOLIVIA Sensitive But Unclassified, Please Handle Accordingly ¶1. (U) Acting in his capacity as President of the Andean Community Council, Foreign Minister Manuel Rodriguez issued a statement on 6/7 expressing support for constitutional norms and democratic institutions in Bolivia. Embassy's informal translation of the statement follows: (begin text) ANDEAN COMMUNITY COMMUNIQUE REGARDING THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN BOLIVIA The Governments of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, members of the Andean Community, express their profound concern regarding the political situation in the sister Republic of Bolivia. Likewise, they wish to extend to President Carlos Mesa words of support and solidarity for his decision, one that was arrived at in hopes of reaching a democratic and constitutional solution in Bolivia, as well as contributing to the preservation of its democratic institutions. The Andean Community member states wish to make an appeal to all political forces in Bolivia so that the handling of President Mesa's resignation is carried out with total respect for the constitutional norms of the country and for existing commitments regarding the protection and preservation of democratic institutions in all countries in the region. Finally, the Andean Community member states wish to convey to the Government of Bolivia their complete willingness to contribute to the stability and preservation of the constitutional and democratic institutions of the country. MANUEL RODRIGUEZ CUADROS Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru President of the Andean Community Council of Foreign Ministers (end of text) ¶2. (SBU) COMMENT. Generally speaking, the GOP prefers to sign on to group declarations regarding the internal political situation in neighboring countries, as opposed to making unilateral declarations. STRUBLE