GOB ASKS WHY VICE PRESIDENT NOT ALLOWED TO TRAVEL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 001955 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2016 TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL SUBJECT: GOB ASKS WHY VICE PRESIDENT NOT ALLOWED TO TRAVEL Classified By: Amb. David N. Greenlee for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Acting Foreign Minister Alicia Munoz summoned the Ambassador July 19 to explain why Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera was not allowed to board American Airlines flight 922 from La Paz to Miami. The Ambassador apologized for the incident, attributing the error to an administrative "gap," and said he was pleased that Garcia Linera made the American connection in Santa Cruz, adding that he hoped the trip would go forward in the fraternal spirit in which it was planned. The GOB officials initially expressed concern that political motivations lay behind the incident but later appeared satisfied with the Ambassador's apology and explanation. The issue will likely make headlines for the 24-hour news cycle. End summary. ¶2. (C) Acting Foreign Minister and Minister of Government Alicia Munoz summoned the Ambassador July 19 to explain why Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera was not allowed to board American Airlines flight 922 from La Paz to Miami (with a stopover in Santa Cruz). President Morales' personal secretary, Gringo Gonzalez, and the president's special trade SIPDIS advisor, Pablo Solon, along with acting ecopol chief, were present. ¶3. (C) Munoz began the meeting by "cordially" asking the Ambassador to explain why the vice president was not allowed to board flight 922 in La Paz the morning of July 19. The GOB representatives described the incident as a "shock" after close coordination with the USG to plan the trip. The Ambassador stated that he shared the GOB's concern and said the State Department believed everything was in order for Garcia Linera's trip to Washington. He apologized for the incident (and mentioned that he had apologized directly to the vice president) and attributed the error to an administrative "gap." The Ambassador said that thanks to solid cooperation from the GOB, American Airlines, and others, Garcia Linera made the American connection in Santa Cruz, and was on his way to the United States. The Ambassador expressed his regret but said he hoped the trip would go forward in the fraternal spirit in which it was planned. ¶4. (C) Munoz and Gonzalez expressed concern that Garcia Linera (and three members of his delegation) were prevented from boarding for political reasons intended to send a signal to the GOB. They said they found it "highly coincidental" that no member of the GOB delegation was allowed to board. The Ambassador reassured his interlocutors that this was a technical problem without a political component and mentioned that other governments' representatives have had similar problems in the post-911 security environment. The GOB officials asked for an investigation and a formal written response explaining the circumstances that contributed to the incident and expressed interest in coordinating public statements on the subject. The Ambassador said the USG was conducting an investigation and agreed to share whatever information he could upon its completion. He did not commit to a formal written response. ¶5. (C) As the tone of the meeting softened, conversation turned to the substance of Garcia Linera's trip. The Ambassador emphasized that the trip would open doors but may not secure definite results. Solon commented on GOB trade discussions with the European Union, stating they would last two years to accommodate Bolivia's Constituent Assembly. He noted that the GOB would not be averse to similar negotiations with the United States, as long as Bolivia's "sensitivities" were taken into account. He said Garcia Linera would raise this issue during his July 20-21 meetings with executive and legislative officials in Washington. ¶6. (C) Comment: While the meeting opened on a formal and suspicious note, the GOB officials appeared to be satisfied with the Ambassador's apology and explanation by its conclusion. This issue will attract significant press attention for the next day but will hopefully be overtaken by LA PAZ 00001955 002 OF 002 more positive news of Garcia Linera's trip. End comment. GREENLEE