INSIDERS' VIEW INTO THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 002576

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: INSIDERS' VIEW INTO THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

REF: LA PAZ 2372

Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Krishna Urs for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.


1. (C) Summary: Several opposition representatives in the
Constituent Assembly (CA) told poloff September 18-20 that
the Assembly is in "complete chaos." Two of the delegates
blamed the Assembly's inefficiency on delegate inexperience
and the MAS' heavy hand. They also complained about
surveillance and discrimination within the Assembly. None of
the three delegates were optimistic about the Assembly's
ability to move forward. In a September 19 meeting with the
prefects, Vice President Garcia Linera proposed a two-thirds
vote on departmental autonomy, land reform and hydrocarbons
revenues and a simple majority vote on all other matters.
Press reports indicate that Podemos will reject the proposal,
holding out for two-thirds on all issues. Recently President
Morales publicly ordered the MAS to force through rules for
the Assembly's operation by September 27 by a simple majority
vote. While our interpretation of the convoking legislation
supports Podemos' position, this may be the best deal Podemos
is going to get. End summary.


2. (C) Several CA opposition representatives told poloff
September 18-20 that the Assembly is in "complete chaos."
They said without rules of order, the Assembly cannot and
does not function. All complained that the CA does not have
fixed hours for its sessions, causing them to wait each day
for notice, either via phone call or the local news, that
they should convene. Adding to the uncertainty, Assembly
leadership does not provide advance notice of topics the
Assembly will address, so delegates cannot prepare for
debate. Podemos representatives Carlos Goitia and Susana
Campos both noted that many delegates drink heavily during
Assembly sessions, and that many were intoxicated the morning
of MAS leader Ramon Loaiza's fall (reftel).


3. (C) Goitia and National Unity delegate Jorge Lazarte
blamed the Assembly's inefficiency on delegate inexperience
and the MAS' heavy hand. Lazarte said there are discussions
within the Assembly, but no real dialogue. He said most
delegates fail to keep up with the debate at hand and
interject comments on unrelated topics. Lazarte said there
is "no point" talking to the Assembly's board of directors
because they do not have authority to negotiate; instead,
their negotiating authority comes directly from President
Morales. On procedural matters, Goitia said the opposition's
ability to be heard in the Assembly depends on Assembly
President (and MAS delegate) Silvia Lazarte's mood. Goitia
said she arbitrarily calls on representatives to speak, gives
them a time limit, but then abruptly cuts that time short.
He also complained that the MAS delegates frequently make and
break deals with the opposition; he told poloff about a
recent episode in which the MAS had agreed to a recess.
After the CA adjourned, a Podemos delegate found the MAS
assembled for session. When Podemos' leader asked Silvia
Lazarte what happened, she made no apologies, but said the
MAS had decided to proceed without the opposition. Goitia
also told poloff that in a recent interview with the
government television station, the GOB used a voice-over to
skew his comments.


4. (C) Goitia and Campos both complained about surveillance
and discrimination within the Assembly. Both said they are
followed on a regular basis. Campos said her "tail" is a
young Venezuelan. Both also said that they have been
threatened, as have their family members, because of their
association with the opposition. Additionally, they lamented
overt discrimination during the Assembly's sessions. Campos
said MAS delegates openly insult opposition representatives,
calling them "karas," a derogatory term for light-skinned
Bolivians. Campos also said her purse is regularly searched
upon entry into the Assembly while her MAS colleagues bypass

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security.


5. (C) None of the three delegates was optimistic about the
Assembly's ability to move forward. One noted that after two
months, the CA still has not begun its work. Jorge Lazarte
blamed the lack of progress on Vice President Garcia Linera,
who he said freely advocates "radical" positions with MAS
delegates. Goitia said at the current pace, the Assembly
will not finish its work within the one year allotted it by
the enabling legislation. Goitia believed the MAS would
continue to stall progress and present its draft constitution
at the last minute, hoping representatives will prefer to
approve a less-than-perfect draft as opposed to returning to
their constituents empty-handed. He said the MAS
constitution would easily pass the popular referendum, which
requires only a simple majority vote. Campos, in turn,
seemed resigned to defeat by the MAS, saying "we're only 60
representatives."


6. (C) Comment: The Assembly was scheduled to resume session
on September 21, but the recess has been extended through
September 25. All three representatives worried about
continuing tension and the social sectors (allegedly
MAS-controlled and Venezuelan-financed) temporarily living in
Sucre, waiting for MAS instructions to march. In his
September 19 meeting with the prefects, Garcia Linera
proposed a two-thirds vote on departmental autonomy, land
reform and hydrocarbons revenues and a simple majority vote
on all other matters. Press reports indicate the National
Revolutionary Movement (MNR) and National Unity (UN) parties
may be considering the offer, but that Podemos may reject the
proposal, holding out for two-thirds vote on all issues.
Meanwhile, President Morales has ordered the MAS deputies to
approve their internal rules by simple majority by Wednesday
September 27. While our legal interpretation of the enabling
legislation supports Podemos' position in favor of a
two-thirds majority, Garcia Linera's offer may be the best
that they are going to get. End comment.
URS