Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ2724
2006-10-10 19:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
TRANSIT STRIKE CONTINUES
VZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLP #2724 2831955 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 101955Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0824 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6168 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3482 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7343 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4605 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1859 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 1900 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4069 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4495 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9070 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
UNCLAS LA PAZ 002724
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: TRANSIT STRIKE CONTINUES
UNCLAS LA PAZ 002724
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: TRANSIT STRIKE CONTINUES
1. (U) La Paz public transportation workers began a 24-hour
strike October 9 to protest La Paz Mayor Juan del Granado's
plan for redirecting downtown traffic. The city implemented
the plan October 6 to improve traffic flows; transportation
workers complain that the new routes are causing confusion
and loss of income. Late October 9, after the municipality
announced that it would not withdraw its plan for the
improvements, workers extended the strike "indefinitely."
While the strike has been mostly pacific, there have been
isolated cases of physical violence or property damage
(mostly tire slashing) against bus drivers who attempted to
pass strikers' blockades.
2. (SBU) Comment: Negotiations continue October 10 to resolve
the La Paz strike, but even if successful, a larger
nationwide transportation strike (including public and
private transportation) is scheduled for October 12-13. The
nationwide strike will protest the GOB's possible
legalization of over 50,000 illegally imported autos, which
would boost GOB revenue (due to a delayed importation tax)
but would flood the auto market, resulting in unwanted
competition for transportation workers. The Embassy is
operating with essential personnel October 10 and is
providing transportation for all employees. We will continue
to monitor these strikes closely. End comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: TRANSIT STRIKE CONTINUES
1. (U) La Paz public transportation workers began a 24-hour
strike October 9 to protest La Paz Mayor Juan del Granado's
plan for redirecting downtown traffic. The city implemented
the plan October 6 to improve traffic flows; transportation
workers complain that the new routes are causing confusion
and loss of income. Late October 9, after the municipality
announced that it would not withdraw its plan for the
improvements, workers extended the strike "indefinitely."
While the strike has been mostly pacific, there have been
isolated cases of physical violence or property damage
(mostly tire slashing) against bus drivers who attempted to
pass strikers' blockades.
2. (SBU) Comment: Negotiations continue October 10 to resolve
the La Paz strike, but even if successful, a larger
nationwide transportation strike (including public and
private transportation) is scheduled for October 12-13. The
nationwide strike will protest the GOB's possible
legalization of over 50,000 illegally imported autos, which
would boost GOB revenue (due to a delayed importation tax)
but would flood the auto market, resulting in unwanted
competition for transportation workers. The Embassy is
operating with essential personnel October 10 and is
providing transportation for all employees. We will continue
to monitor these strikes closely. End comment.
GOLDBERG