ONE PREFECT WORRIES ABOUT FUTURE OF REGIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001556

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: ONE PREFECT WORRIES ABOUT FUTURE OF REGIONAL
GOVERNMENT

Classified By: Ambassador David N. Greenlee for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.


1. (C) Summary: Cochabamba prefect (governor) and former
presidential candidate Manfred Reyes Villa told the
Ambassador on June 7 that he believes President Morales will
hold national elections following the Constituent Assembly in
order to consolidate control over Bolivia's prefects, and
will also attempt to co-opt the judiciary, which he described
as the only other remaining independent government
institution. As a counterbalance to the central government,
Reyes Villa suggested that the USG increase its support for
opposition prefects. He continues to resist pressure from
the Morales government to participate in government-sponsored
events showcasing Cuban and Venezuelan aid. End Summary.


2. (C) Cochabamba prefect and former presidential candidate
Manfred Reyes Villa told the Ambassador on June 7 that he
believes Morales will hold national elections following the
Constituent Assembly in order to consolidate control over
Bolivia's prefects. He said that Morales feels threatened by
the prefects, who are "the pebble in his shoe." He thought
Morales would attempt to weaken regional governments by
replacing the current slate with prefects the MAS can
control. Reyes Villa also believed Morales would continue to
attempt to co-opt the judiciary, the only other remaining
independent state power.


3. (C) Reyes Villa urged the USG to decentralize its
relationship with the Morales government and increase support
for opposition prefects and other local leaders. He stated
that, unlike the national government, he and other
locally-elected leaders are committed to a healthy
relationship with the Embassy, and urged the Embassy to
cultivate such relationships. He believed Morales had lost
some credibility among his base in Cochabamba because of his
inconsistent positions on autonomy and land reform. Reyes
Villa noted that even though the MAS enjoys high levels of
support in Cochabamba, Morales was delivering little more
than populist rhetoric. Reyes Villa said that his
constituents, including MAS supporters, recognize that he is
responding to the needs of the people.


4. (C) Reyes Villa said he continues to resist pressure from
the Morales government to participate in events highlighting
Cuban and Venezuelan aid. He cited his reluctance to
inaugurate a hospital where Cuban doctors are to provide
services and his rejection of an invitation to visit
Venezuela along with his fellow prefects. He noted, however,
that at least two prefects, from Oruro and Chuquisaca, had
already visited Venezuela. Reyes Villa said he looked
forward to participating in an Embassy-sponsored trip to the
United States along with the other eight prefects in July.


5. (C) Comment: Reyes Villa remains tarnished nationally by
his association with the Sanchez de Lozada government, but,
as Cochabamba prefect, he is an important regional
counterbalance to the Morales government. We will continue
to look for ways to support him and his prefectural
counterparts. End comment.
GREENLEE