AMBASSADOR, MOD DISCUSS WAY FORWARD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 002946

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2016
TAGS: KTIA MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PARM PGOV PREL SNAR
BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR, MOD DISCUSS WAY FORWARD

Classified By: Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).


1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on
Minister of Defense Walker San Miguel October 30, discussing
a wide range of military issues. San Miguel told the
Ambassador that the F-10 weapons have been moved to the army
depository in La Paz, and that his ministry would coordinate
with the Embassy regarding their security. Regarding the New
Horizons humanitarian exercise planned for 2007, San Miguel
said the Morales government would send the appropriate
information to congress the week of November 6, thus
preparing the way for the new Status of Forces Agreement
(SOFA). The Ambassador and San Miguel discussed possible
future cooperation on counternarcotics, and agreed to leave
the MANPADS transfer in the past. Ending with a joint press
conference, the meeting represented a positive step forward
for mil-mil relations. End summary.

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F-10 equipment: back in town?
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2. (C) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Minister of
Defense Walker San Miguel October 30, discussing a range of
military issues. The Ambassador opened the meeting by
restating Washington's desire for an improvement in bilateral
relations. San Miguel told the Ambassador that the
Ambassador had "brought (a positive trend) with him," adding
that the F-10 weapons have been moved to the army depository
in La Paz and that his ministry would coordinate with the
Embassy regarding their security. The minister complimented
the USG for keeping the F-10 equipment issue private, stating
that "if we continue in that manner we can overcome our
problems." The Ambassador said that with that issue
resolved, the GOB and the USG could move forward with other
programs including IMET-funded education, training, and
limited equipment upgrades.

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New Horizons
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3. (C) Regarding the New Horizons humanitarian exercise
planned for 2007, San Miguel said the Morales government
would consult with Bolivia's congress the week of November 6,
thus preparing the way for a new SOFA. The Ambassador told
San Miguel that approval of the SOFA is in the GOB's hands
but offered U.S. assistance. The minister said the GOB would
explain the exercise to congress and the Bolivian people, and
that he did not anticipate any difficulties in getting the
new agreement approved.

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Counternarcotics cooperation
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4. (C) On counternarcotics, San Miguel defended the GOB's
"relative success," citing the high number of cocaine
seizures in the past months. The Ambassador mentioned that
he had just toured the Chapare and saw the GOB's
counternarcotics cooperation first-hand. The Ambassador
noted, however, that there is anecdotal evidence that the
increased seizures may be due to increased coca cultivation.
The Ambassador commended GOB interdiction efforts, but said
he is worried about increased coca growth. The Ambassador
said the USG cannot support industrialization and the search
for new licit coca markets which go beyond the traditional
use. He suggested that the GOB and the USG continue to talk
about ways to improve eradication, which is of critical
importance, since illegal drug trafficking is a problem for
Bolivia, the region and the world. San Miguel responded that
voluntary eradication in the Yungas will be the most

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important part of the GOB's counternarcotics strategy. He
admitted that eradication is an "emotional issue" in Bolivia,
and said that the GOB would "need your assistance to develop
an integrated policy."

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MANPADS: leave them in the past
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5. (C) Finally, the Ambassador asked San Miguel for help in
leaving the issue of the MANPADS transfer in the past. The
Ambassador encouraged the GOB not to continue to feed the
issue. San Miguel said "unfortunately" the formal charges
against former President Rodriguez and others cannot be
undone because the matter rests with the prosecutor's office.
San Miguel lamented that the transfer had not been handled
with transparency, and cited the case of Nicaragua as a
success story, where MANPADS destruction was debated publicly
before the government decided to transfer the missiles. He
said in the Bolivian case, there were many questions
regarding alleged payment to Rodriguez and regarding
authorization for the transfer. San Miguel assured the
Ambassador that the issue would not be political, but that
Congress and the judicial branch would handle it
appropriately. San Miguel spoke highly of Rodriguez, who he
described as a "friend."

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Comment
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6. (C) Ending with a joint press conference, the meeting
represented a positive step forward for mil-mil relations.
Once the F-10 equipment returns to U.S. custody in the La Paz
depository (hopefully before week's end),the way could be
clear for increased military cooperation. While this meeting
was positive in tone, it remains to be seen whether the F-10
weapons issue has indeed been addressed as the minister
promised. Many challenges may be ahead in our bilateral
military relationship, but this meeting represents a first
step in addressing these obstacles. End comment.


GOLDBERG