Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ168
2006-01-23 21:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:  

BOLIVIA AND VENEZUELA WASTE NO TIME SIGNING

Tags:  PGOV PREL ECON SOCI BL 
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VZCZCXRO9333
PP RUEHLMC
DE RUEHLP #0168 0232100
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 232100Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7838
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 5534
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 2797
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6668
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 3881
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1243
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 1137
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 3505
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 3882
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 8400
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS LA PAZ 000168 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON SOCI BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA AND VENEZUELA WASTE NO TIME SIGNING
COOPERATION AGREEMENTS

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000168

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON SOCI BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA AND VENEZUELA WASTE NO TIME SIGNING
COOPERATION AGREEMENTS


1. (U) On President Evo Morales' first full day in office,
Morales and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez signed a series
of cooperation agreements covering energy, sports, health,
medicine, education and agriculture. Chavez called the
signing of these agreements "the start of a new period of
relations between Bolivia and Venezuela and the integration
of our peoples." He continued that the entire Government of
Venezuela would be at Morales' disposal. Chavez said that
the Venezuelan state-owned petroleum company PDVSA would help
the GOB with the nationalization of the hydrocarbons sector,
"even as we did to combat the domination of the American
petroleum companies in our country." (This was the only
reference to the United States during the signing ceremony.)



2. (U) Morales responded with gratitude, noting that within
24 hours of taking office he was signing his first agreement
as President. To Chavez he said "Your presence strengthens
us, not only Evo Morales but all the Bolivian people." He
highlighted that the GOV offered 5,000 scholarships to
Bolivian students and committed to buy 200,000 tons of soy.
He also commended the Venezuelan offer to assist in combating
illiteracy, to complement efforts to be made in this area by
the Cuban government. Morales concluded by giving Chavez a
gift of a Simon Bolivar portrait made entirely from coca
leaves.


3. (U) The two leaders also signed a joint declaration in
which they committed to work together to end the
"neo-liberal" economic model which has allegedly oppressed
their people. (Embassy will seek to obtain texts of joint
declaration and cooperation agreements.)


4. (SBU) Comment: While Chavez did not receive any special
treatment at the Sunday inauguration, today is a different
story. Following the signing ceremony, Morales and Chavez
appeared jointly on the balcony of the Presidential Palace to
an exuberant parade. Today's display underscored the close
personal relationship between Morales and Chavez. It also
may have signaled growing Bolivian dependence on Venezuelan
largesse. End Comment.





GREENLEE