Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ2036
2006-07-27 14:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:  

LA PAZ PREFECT UNDER FIRE

Tags:  ECON PGOV PREL BL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2950
PP RUEHLMC
DE RUEHLP #2036 2081421
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 271421Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0077
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6016
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3334
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7185
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4448
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1723
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 1738
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 3937
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4354
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 8916
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002036 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: LA PAZ PREFECT UNDER FIRE


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

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002036

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: LA PAZ PREFECT UNDER FIRE


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


1. (C) Summary: Following the July 2 autonomy referendum,
social sectors have called for the resignation of La Paz
Prefect Jose Luis "Pepe Lucho" Paredes, expressing anger at
his support for regional autonomy (a position that
contradicted his department's popular vote). Paredes alleges
that a radical arm of the MAS is organizing marches against
him; the GOB denies any involvement. Paredes assured poloff
that he would not resign, but the demonstrations urging his
resignation are an indication of the weakness of Bolivia's
decentralized democracy. End summary.


2. (C) Following the July 2 autonomy referendum, social
sectors have called for the resignation of La Paz Prefect
Jose Luis "Pepe Lucho" Paredes, expressing anger at his
support for regional autonomy (a position that contradicted
his department's popular vote). The Regional Workers' Union
(COR),the Neighborhood Association of El Alto (Fejuve),and
several indigenous groups have marched against him (with the
last march on July 24),and one indigenous organization, the
Federation of Rural Workers Tupac Katari, has threatened
blockades and additional marches if Paredes does not resign
by July 27. The groups are protesting not only Paredes'
support for departmental autonomy but also his alleged
corruption as mayor of El Alto (his previous position) and
his failure to address the increasing pollution of Lake
Titicaca.


3. (C) Paredes has alleged that a radical arm of the MAS is
organizing the marches against him, with the ultimate goal of
instituting MAS control over the department. To date, the
GOB has denied any involvement. Paredes told poloff July 26
that despite the ups and downs of the past two weeks, he
believes the situation is cooling off. According to Paredes,
President Morales met with MAS leaders July 25 and may now be
attempting to moderate the more radical faction, warning its
supporters that continued marches will likely result in
backlash against Morales. Paredes told poloff that since
there is no legal mechanism for censuring prefects, the only
options are voluntary resignation or the initiation of legal
proceedings for wrongdoing. Paredes has received significant
public support from fellow prefects Ruben Costas of Santa
Cruz and Manfred Reyes Villa of Cochabamba. Reyes Villa said
Paredes' position on autonomy should not serve as a reason to
force him out of office, saying that if autonomy had passed
nationwide, nobody would be calling for Morales' resignation.
Paredes assured us he would not resign.


4. (C) Comment: The demonstrations urging Paredes'
resignation are an indication of the weakness of Bolivia's
decentralized democracy. The opposition prefects, like the
Catholic Church (septel),will likely face additional public
pressure as the trend toward consolidation of central
government power continues. End comment.
GREENLEE