FRENCH UNABLE TO SEND BOLIVIAN ELECTION MONITORS

UNCLAS PARIS 008137 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL FR BO SUBJECT: FRENCH UNABLE TO SEND BOLIVIAN ELECTION MONITORS REF: STATE 214591 ¶1. Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Bolivia Desk Officer Philippe Letrillard on November 30. Letrillard underlined that the GoF fully supported efforts to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in Bolivia. However, he noted that the EU was unable to send observers and expressed doubt that France would be able to provide bilateral monitors. He cited a lack of available personnel due, in part, to the French contribution to the EU observer mission for the Venezuelan elections. Letrillard was unaware of any French NGOs planning to participate, but indicated he would contact the French Embassy in La Paz to see if it knew of any interested NGOs that could be given the contact information for volunteers. Letrillard promised to contact Poloff if the French position changed or if any NGOs were identified who would like to participate. ¶2. Poloff contacted the Bolivian Embassy in Paris to inform them of the demarche, but was unable to coordinate a joint demarche in the time available. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm Stapleton