Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ217
2006-01-30 20:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW FOREIGN MINISTER
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 000217
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW FOREIGN MINISTER
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 SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 000217
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW FOREIGN MINISTER
Classified By: Amb. David N. Greenlee for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Late January 27, Foreign Minister
Choquehuanca summoned the Ambassador to apologize for the
Foreign Ministry's gaffe in prematurely announcing its
intention to nominate Sacha Llorentty as Bolivia's next
ambassador to the U.S., and to formally submit Llorentty's
credentials. He said he's still learning his way around the
FM, but seemed eager to get up to speed on his new
responsibilities. Choquehuanca noted that because the MFA's
employees are protected by law, his Ministry is virtually the
only operational part of the new government, expressing
relief that he can turn away the hundreds of social sector
representatives that have been appearing at his door in
search of jobs. The Foreign Minister mentioned the GOB
salary cuts affecting ministers, vice-ministers and office
directors, and hinted that more is to come. Despite the
Foreign Minister's seemingly pragmatic approach, career
diplomats are worried about job security and salary cuts.
End summary.
2. (C) The Foreign Minister summoned the Ambassador
(accompanied by poloff) late on January 27 regarding the U.S.
granting agrement for Sacha Llorentty as Bolivian ambassador
to the U.S. Choquehuanca apologized for the Foreign
Ministry's gaffe in prematurely announcing its intention to
nominate Llorentty. The Ambassador told the Foreign Minister
not to worry and that the Embassy would move the nomination
forward via the proper channels.
3. (C) Choquehuanca said he's still learning his way around
the FM, but seemed eager to get up to speed on his new
responsibilities and is receiving briefings on a number of
issues. The Ambassador gave the Foreign Minister a Spanish
copy of "The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding
Globalization," by Thomas L. Friedman, for which Choquehuanca
expressed his gratitude. Choquehuanca briefly referenced his
lack of experience in government, stating that he was
previously a "social agitator." He said that one of his
vice-ministers will be an expert with "technical experience"
to provide continuity to the MFA's work. Choquehuanca also
said that the past politics of his staff are irrelevant, and
that he expects all to turn to the work at hand.
4. (C) Choquehuanca expressed relief that the employees of
the Foreign Ministry are protected by law, which has enabled
the MFA's work to go forward uninterrupted. He said that he
has turned away hundreds of social sector representatives
that have appeared at his door in search of jobs. The
Foreign Minister said that his ministry is virtually the only
operational part of the new GOB, because the other ministries
have succumbed to social-sector pressure to replace many
government employees.
5. (C) The Foreign Minister mentioned the GOB salary cuts
affecting ministers, vice-ministers and office directors, and
hinted that more is to come. He emphasized that the salary
structure will be flat, with vice-ministers earning only 200
bolivianos ($25) less than ministers each month. He said if
the salaries drop too law, the GOB will have difficulty in
retaining technocrats/consultants.
6. (C) Poloff met with Ruben Vidaurre, Director of
International Organizations, on January 30 to gain his
perspective on changes in the MFA. Vidaurre reported that
career diplomats are "very nervous" about salary cuts and job
security. Most believe that President Morales will overturn
their protected status by presidential decree within the next
six months, the time in which GOB spokesman Alex Contreras
said the new government will be "closely examining" the
public sector. Of the possible new requirement that all
diplomats speak Aymara or Quechua, Vidaurre seemed resigned
to take the classes, but said that many of his colleagues are
beginning to seek employment elsewhere.
7. (C) Comment: The Foreign Minister appears amiable enough,
but is clearly immersed in an ideological need to impose an
LA PAZ 00000217 002 OF 002
indigenous imprint on Bolivia's diplomatic corps. While he
was recently quoted in the press as saying that he hadn't
read a book since 1992 so as not to become infected by
Western ideals, Choquehuanca seemed genuinely interested in
having a solid relationship with the U.S. We think we can
work with him, but it won't be business as usual. End
comment.
GREENLEE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW FOREIGN MINISTER
Classified By: Amb. David N. Greenlee for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Late January 27, Foreign Minister
Choquehuanca summoned the Ambassador to apologize for the
Foreign Ministry's gaffe in prematurely announcing its
intention to nominate Sacha Llorentty as Bolivia's next
ambassador to the U.S., and to formally submit Llorentty's
credentials. He said he's still learning his way around the
FM, but seemed eager to get up to speed on his new
responsibilities. Choquehuanca noted that because the MFA's
employees are protected by law, his Ministry is virtually the
only operational part of the new government, expressing
relief that he can turn away the hundreds of social sector
representatives that have been appearing at his door in
search of jobs. The Foreign Minister mentioned the GOB
salary cuts affecting ministers, vice-ministers and office
directors, and hinted that more is to come. Despite the
Foreign Minister's seemingly pragmatic approach, career
diplomats are worried about job security and salary cuts.
End summary.
2. (C) The Foreign Minister summoned the Ambassador
(accompanied by poloff) late on January 27 regarding the U.S.
granting agrement for Sacha Llorentty as Bolivian ambassador
to the U.S. Choquehuanca apologized for the Foreign
Ministry's gaffe in prematurely announcing its intention to
nominate Llorentty. The Ambassador told the Foreign Minister
not to worry and that the Embassy would move the nomination
forward via the proper channels.
3. (C) Choquehuanca said he's still learning his way around
the FM, but seemed eager to get up to speed on his new
responsibilities and is receiving briefings on a number of
issues. The Ambassador gave the Foreign Minister a Spanish
copy of "The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding
Globalization," by Thomas L. Friedman, for which Choquehuanca
expressed his gratitude. Choquehuanca briefly referenced his
lack of experience in government, stating that he was
previously a "social agitator." He said that one of his
vice-ministers will be an expert with "technical experience"
to provide continuity to the MFA's work. Choquehuanca also
said that the past politics of his staff are irrelevant, and
that he expects all to turn to the work at hand.
4. (C) Choquehuanca expressed relief that the employees of
the Foreign Ministry are protected by law, which has enabled
the MFA's work to go forward uninterrupted. He said that he
has turned away hundreds of social sector representatives
that have appeared at his door in search of jobs. The
Foreign Minister said that his ministry is virtually the only
operational part of the new GOB, because the other ministries
have succumbed to social-sector pressure to replace many
government employees.
5. (C) The Foreign Minister mentioned the GOB salary cuts
affecting ministers, vice-ministers and office directors, and
hinted that more is to come. He emphasized that the salary
structure will be flat, with vice-ministers earning only 200
bolivianos ($25) less than ministers each month. He said if
the salaries drop too law, the GOB will have difficulty in
retaining technocrats/consultants.
6. (C) Poloff met with Ruben Vidaurre, Director of
International Organizations, on January 30 to gain his
perspective on changes in the MFA. Vidaurre reported that
career diplomats are "very nervous" about salary cuts and job
security. Most believe that President Morales will overturn
their protected status by presidential decree within the next
six months, the time in which GOB spokesman Alex Contreras
said the new government will be "closely examining" the
public sector. Of the possible new requirement that all
diplomats speak Aymara or Quechua, Vidaurre seemed resigned
to take the classes, but said that many of his colleagues are
beginning to seek employment elsewhere.
7. (C) Comment: The Foreign Minister appears amiable enough,
but is clearly immersed in an ideological need to impose an
LA PAZ 00000217 002 OF 002
indigenous imprint on Bolivia's diplomatic corps. While he
was recently quoted in the press as saying that he hadn't
read a book since 1992 so as not to become infected by
Western ideals, Choquehuanca seemed genuinely interested in
having a solid relationship with the U.S. We think we can
work with him, but it won't be business as usual. End
comment.
GREENLEE