Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ2406
2006-09-06 20:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
BUSINESS AS USUAL, DESPITE RISING TENSIONS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0007 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHLP #2406 2492058 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 062058Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0437 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6074 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3393 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7243 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4509 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1774 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 1809 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 1770 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 3990 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4409 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 8978 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS LA PAZ 002406
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND LPETRONI
COMMERCE FOR JANGLIN
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ETRD ECON PREL PGOV BL
SUBJECT: BUSINESS AS USUAL, DESPITE RISING TENSIONS
REF: LA PAZ 2393
UNCLAS LA PAZ 002406
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND LPETRONI
COMMERCE FOR JANGLIN
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ETRD ECON PREL PGOV BL
SUBJECT: BUSINESS AS USUAL, DESPITE RISING TENSIONS
REF: LA PAZ 2393
1. (SBU) Summary: La Paz businessmen reacted with relative
calm to the September 1 violence in the constituent assembly
(reftel),declaring that business would continue as usual.
While not necessarily thriving, businesses appear to have
survived the uncertainty of the last few months, and most
expect to withstand rising tensions. What businessmen want,
they say, is to be left alone - free of economic and
political uncertainty and the disruptions of the "media luna"
strike called for September 8 (reftel). End summary.
2. (SBU) La Paz businessmen reacted with relative calm to the
September 1 violence in the constituent assembly (reftel),
declaring that business would continue as usual. George
Satt, President of United Furniture Industries, a leading
wood products exporter, told Econoff September 5 that he
viewed the events with much embarrassment but little
surprise; the exchange of blows and the throwing of water
bottles might make Bolivians appear incapable of maintaining
order, he said, but would not directly affect existing
operations.
3. (SBU) While not necessarily thriving, businesses appear to
have survived the uncertainty of the last few months, and
most expect to withstand rising tensions. The general sense
among businessmen, Satt commented, was that companies would
survive as well as they could, even while delaying new
investments. Satt's impression was that most businesses were
taking recent events in stride, with few firms seriously
considering drastic changes to operations.
4. (SBU) Confederation of Private Businessmen President
Roberto Mustafa echoed Satt's statements, noting that
businessmen want mostly to be left alone - free of economic
and political uncertainty and the disruptions of the "media
luna" strike called for September 8 (reftel). Strikes of any
sort, but particularly on such a scale, upset operations and
cost businessmen dearly, he pointed out, arguing that the
business community would be better served if the government
and the opposition compromised, averted large-scale work
stoppages, and brought the constituent assembly to a
successful conclusion.
5. (SBU) Comment: Despite escalating rhetoric and rising
east-west tensions, it appears business is continuing as
usual. Being the practical sort, and with years of
experience in a country in which ambiguity is the norm, most
businessmen have taken recent events in stride. They may
wish for clarity, but they recognize that the chances of
getting it are slim. End comment.
GREENLEE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND LPETRONI
COMMERCE FOR JANGLIN
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ETRD ECON PREL PGOV BL
SUBJECT: BUSINESS AS USUAL, DESPITE RISING TENSIONS
REF: LA PAZ 2393
1. (SBU) Summary: La Paz businessmen reacted with relative
calm to the September 1 violence in the constituent assembly
(reftel),declaring that business would continue as usual.
While not necessarily thriving, businesses appear to have
survived the uncertainty of the last few months, and most
expect to withstand rising tensions. What businessmen want,
they say, is to be left alone - free of economic and
political uncertainty and the disruptions of the "media luna"
strike called for September 8 (reftel). End summary.
2. (SBU) La Paz businessmen reacted with relative calm to the
September 1 violence in the constituent assembly (reftel),
declaring that business would continue as usual. George
Satt, President of United Furniture Industries, a leading
wood products exporter, told Econoff September 5 that he
viewed the events with much embarrassment but little
surprise; the exchange of blows and the throwing of water
bottles might make Bolivians appear incapable of maintaining
order, he said, but would not directly affect existing
operations.
3. (SBU) While not necessarily thriving, businesses appear to
have survived the uncertainty of the last few months, and
most expect to withstand rising tensions. The general sense
among businessmen, Satt commented, was that companies would
survive as well as they could, even while delaying new
investments. Satt's impression was that most businesses were
taking recent events in stride, with few firms seriously
considering drastic changes to operations.
4. (SBU) Confederation of Private Businessmen President
Roberto Mustafa echoed Satt's statements, noting that
businessmen want mostly to be left alone - free of economic
and political uncertainty and the disruptions of the "media
luna" strike called for September 8 (reftel). Strikes of any
sort, but particularly on such a scale, upset operations and
cost businessmen dearly, he pointed out, arguing that the
business community would be better served if the government
and the opposition compromised, averted large-scale work
stoppages, and brought the constituent assembly to a
successful conclusion.
5. (SBU) Comment: Despite escalating rhetoric and rising
east-west tensions, it appears business is continuing as
usual. Being the practical sort, and with years of
experience in a country in which ambiguity is the norm, most
businessmen have taken recent events in stride. They may
wish for clarity, but they recognize that the chances of
getting it are slim. End comment.
GREENLEE