Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ3176
2006-11-27 21:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
CATHOLIC CHURCH STEPS INTO THE POLITICAL FRAY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003176
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: CATHOLIC CHURCH STEPS INTO THE POLITICAL FRAY
REF: A. LA PAZ 3155
B. LA PAZ 3131
C. LA PAZ 2017
D. LA PAZ 2246
Classified By: Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4(b)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003176
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: CATHOLIC CHURCH STEPS INTO THE POLITICAL FRAY
REF: A. LA PAZ 3155
B. LA PAZ 3131
C. LA PAZ 2017
D. LA PAZ 2246
Classified By: Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4(b)
1. (U) On November 26, the Catholic Church took steps to calm
Bolivia's current political impasse; however it may have also
opened itself up to renewed attacks by the ruling Movement
Towards Socialism (MAS) party. In response to the present
political stalemate in which opposition party members are
boycotting the Senate and where six of nine governors have
"severed" relations with the central government (reftels A
and B),Cardinal Julio Terrazas called on both sides to
return to negotiations. In a statement read at weekend
masses throughout Bolivia, the Cardinal called on the
government "to administer without hate and intrigue, called
for dialogue (between the GOB and opposition) and for the
suspension of hunger strikes by certain members of the
opposition." In the upper and middle class southern zone of
La Paz, churches also began collecting signatures for a
petition calling on the GOB not to prosecute ex-President
Eduardo Rodriguez Veltze over the destruction of antiquated
Chinese missiles. The GOB has not yet responded to Cardinal
Terrazas' statement or the individual churches' actions.
2. (C) Comment: In the past, GOB and MAS leaders have not
been shy in criticizing the Church, at times saying it had
sided with the "oligarchy" (reftel C). However, the Church
remains a potent political force able to withstand MAS
challenges. In certain cases, such as education reform, the
Church has managed to get the GOB to give it guarantees.
Despite statements by Rodriguez that he has no presidential
ambitions, rumors are circulating that Morales views his
predecessor as his only viable political opponent. Some MAS
insiders have shared with poloff that Morales wants to see
President Rodriguez prosecuted -- based on the MANPADS case
(reftel D) -- and sentenced to eliminate the perceived
threat. While the Cardinal's statement may be seen as an
attempt to pacify the current political crisis, it indirectly
expressed displeasure with the Morales government and risked
instigating a new scuffle between the MAS and the Church.
End Comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: CATHOLIC CHURCH STEPS INTO THE POLITICAL FRAY
REF: A. LA PAZ 3155
B. LA PAZ 3131
C. LA PAZ 2017
D. LA PAZ 2246
Classified By: Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4(b)
1. (U) On November 26, the Catholic Church took steps to calm
Bolivia's current political impasse; however it may have also
opened itself up to renewed attacks by the ruling Movement
Towards Socialism (MAS) party. In response to the present
political stalemate in which opposition party members are
boycotting the Senate and where six of nine governors have
"severed" relations with the central government (reftels A
and B),Cardinal Julio Terrazas called on both sides to
return to negotiations. In a statement read at weekend
masses throughout Bolivia, the Cardinal called on the
government "to administer without hate and intrigue, called
for dialogue (between the GOB and opposition) and for the
suspension of hunger strikes by certain members of the
opposition." In the upper and middle class southern zone of
La Paz, churches also began collecting signatures for a
petition calling on the GOB not to prosecute ex-President
Eduardo Rodriguez Veltze over the destruction of antiquated
Chinese missiles. The GOB has not yet responded to Cardinal
Terrazas' statement or the individual churches' actions.
2. (C) Comment: In the past, GOB and MAS leaders have not
been shy in criticizing the Church, at times saying it had
sided with the "oligarchy" (reftel C). However, the Church
remains a potent political force able to withstand MAS
challenges. In certain cases, such as education reform, the
Church has managed to get the GOB to give it guarantees.
Despite statements by Rodriguez that he has no presidential
ambitions, rumors are circulating that Morales views his
predecessor as his only viable political opponent. Some MAS
insiders have shared with poloff that Morales wants to see
President Rodriguez prosecuted -- based on the MANPADS case
(reftel D) -- and sentenced to eliminate the perceived
threat. While the Cardinal's statement may be seen as an
attempt to pacify the current political crisis, it indirectly
expressed displeasure with the Morales government and risked
instigating a new scuffle between the MAS and the Church.
End Comment.
GOLDBERG