GOB ON GOALS FOR NAM AND UNGA

UNCLAS LA PAZ 002492 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA UNSC PREL BL CU SUBJECT: GOB ON GOALS FOR NAM AND UNGA ¶1. (SBU) Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauricio Dorfler convoked select members of the diplomatic community September 12 to review GOB goals for the NAM and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Dorfler noted that Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca would serve as the NAM's vice president. He said the GOB's priorities include building consensus for the indigenous declaration at UNGA, supporting water rights and conservation in the interest of social peace, and promoting Bolivia's access to the sea. Dorfler said the GOB has a unique opportunity to negotiate a corridor to the Pacific with Chile, and that the primary negotiations will be bilateral. Given Peru's involvement, however, Dorfler said the GOB will also raise the long-standing dispute at the NAM and the OAS. He noted that Choquehuanca would discuss access to the sea with Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley at UNGA. ¶2. (SBU) Regarding UNGA, Dorfler said Morales would speak to the General Assembly September 19. He said the GOB sees Morales' speech as a chance to share Bolivia's political history and dynamic changes with the world. According to Dorfler, Morales will defend nationalization of hydrocarbons (and assure investors of juridical security) and explain the Constituent Assembly's task of creating a new social pact, while noting the GOB's "absolute respect for democracy, rule of law and dialogue." Dorfler acknowledged that the political opposition does not agree with the GOB on its reforms, but said "that's democracy." He said Morales will cite examples of Bolivian consensus and dialogue, including his September 11 decree to support private business with USD 12 million in credits to compensate for the likely expiration of ATPDEA benefits in December. ¶3. (SBU) Dorfler said the GOB supports Security Council reform as well as more widespread reforms for the UN system, but provided few other details. He suggested that the UN should be better able to respond to crises, implied the number of members on the Security Council should be changed, and hinted at representation on a regional basis. Dorfler said the GOB would seek consensus within GRULAC on the Security Council veto, as well as on the candidacy of Guatemala/ Venezuela (Comment: There is little doubt that Bolivia will support Venezuela. End comment). In addition to the indigenous declaration, Dorfler mentioned migration, child labor, and gender issues as GOB goals for UNGA. GREENLEE