Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ3081
2006-11-15 21:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES COCA, MONEY LAUNDERING, AND

Tags:  PGOV PREL ECON BL 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #3081/01 3192144
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 152144Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1306
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6294
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3615
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7476
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4737
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1987
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2048
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 1895
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4183
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4626
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9208
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 2035
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003081 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND
STATE FOR INL/KLION AND ERINDLER
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
ENERGY FOR CDAY AND SLADISLAW

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES COCA, MONEY LAUNDERING, AND
NEW HORIZONS WITH NOVILLO

REF: LA PAZ 3040

Classified By: Ecopol Counselor Andrew Erickson for reason 1.4(b).

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003081

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND
STATE FOR INL/KLION AND ERINDLER
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
ENERGY FOR CDAY AND SLADISLAW

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES COCA, MONEY LAUNDERING, AND
NEW HORIZONS WITH NOVILLO

REF: LA PAZ 3040

Classified By: Ecopol Counselor Andrew Erickson for reason 1.4(b).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) In a meeting on November 15, President of the Chamber
of Deputies, Edmundo Novillo told the Ambassador that he
supported rationalization of coca, but also depenalization
and industrialization of the coca leaf. Novillo acknowledged
the importance of an effective money laundering regime and
pledged his support for the passage of a money laundering
bill. He requested information about the "New Horizons"
humanitarian exercise that the U.S. military may conduct next
year. End summary.

--------------
Novillo's Views on Coca Policy
--------------


2. (C) In a meeting on November 15, President of the Chamber
of Deputies Edmundo Novillo told the Ambassador that he
supported rationalization of coca and believed that
uncontrolled coca growth should not be allowed, particularly
in the Carrasco National Park near Novillo's hometown. The
Ambassador acknowledged GOB efforts to eradicate coca in the
park, which resulted in two deaths recently, but said that
increasing coca cultivation indicates that the government's
policy is not reducing production. The Ambassador noted that
the U.S. government does not support the depenalization or
the industrialization of coca, which would lead to more
cocaine production, and planned to oppose such policies at
the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)
meeting in Santa Cruz at the end of November. Novillo
responded that both governments should make decisions
together to stop narcotrafficking, but added that the GOB
wants to do a marketing study to determine how much coca is
needed for traditional uses and for industrialization/export.
The Ambassador replied that the European Union has offered
to pay for a study to determine the amount of coca needed for
traditional uses and manufacture of such products as coca tea
within Bolivia, uses the U.S. could abide.

--------------
Novillo Supports AML Legislation
--------------


3. (C) The Ambassador pointed out the connection between
control of narcotrafficking and an effective money laundering
regime and asked Novillo for his support for the passage of
comprehensive money laundering legislation, including
terrorism finance provisions (ref A). Novillo acknowledged
the importance of blocking narcotraffickers' access to funds
and said that he supports the effort to implement an
effective money laundering law.

--------------
Request for Information on New Horizons
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador requested Novillo's support for a
military agreement which would enable the U.S. military to
conduct a "New Horizons" humanitarian exercise next year.
The Ambassador explained that around 200 soldiers trained in
construction and medicine would build clinics and schools
under the program to promote cooperation between the two
militaries. Novillo requested that the Embassy provide him
information regarding troop objectives, timeframe, and
locations to explain the program to congress and the public

once all is agreed with the executive branch.

--------------
Comment
--------------


5. (C) Novillo offered a spirited defense of the GOB's coca
policy. We will continue our dialogue on this and other
issues, but clearly the GOB coca policy is set by the
President. End comment.
GOLDBERG