PDAS SHAPIRO MEETS WITH INDIGENOUS LEADERS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 LA PAZ 003223 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA/FO, WHA/AND, INR/B E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2016 TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL SUBJECT: PDAS SHAPIRO MEETS WITH INDIGENOUS LEADERS, ANALYSTS Classified By: Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a November 28 meeting with indigenous leaders and analysts, PDAS Charles Shapiro thanked the group for meeting with USG representatives, stressing that the United States is eager to hear their perspectives. The majority of participants voiced support for a democratic, inclusive form of government, but were split on whether the Morales administration has advanced indigenous rights and participation. Several members of the group urged Shapiro not to confuse the goals, aspirations and politics of Bolivia's indigenous with region-wide leftist trends. While most participants agreed that Morales' efforts to change Bolivia are positive, several criticized the manner in which change is being pursued, noting the GOB's tendency to exacerbate social conflict. Regarding the Constituent Assembly, the group had varying concerns regarding its political polarization and lack of concrete results to date. The majority of participants appeared to resent Cuban/Venezuelan interference in Bolivia, and urged the United States to stay in the game. End summary. -------------- DEMOCRACY IS HARD WORK -------------- ¶2. (C) In a November 28 meeting with nine indigenous leaders and analysts, PDAS Charles Shapiro thanked the group for meeting with USG representatives, stressing that the United States is eager to hear their perspectives. Shapiro told the leaders that democracy requires the inclusion of all citizens, that no country can afford to do otherwise. He emphasized that while the majority rules in a democracy, minority rights are important. Shapiro stressed that in dismantling privilege, Bolivians should be careful not to dismantle democracy and democratic institutions. He encouraged the group (and the GOB) to dialogue and listen, and to put the well-being of the country as a whole above individual interests. ¶3. (C) In response to Shapiro's comments, the majority of participants voiced their support for a democratic, inclusive form of government, noting that indigenous communities have a tradition of democracy based on consensus. They confirmed that the indigenous want change, which they admitted brings conflict. One participant described the content of the changes underway as positive, but worried about the direction in which Bolivia's leaders are steering the country. Several recognized that if Bolivia veers from a democratic path, it will lose essential international cooperation and investment. -------------- --- INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION UNDER MORALES: PROGRESS OR REGRESSION? -------------- --- ¶4. (C) The members of the group were split on whether the Morales administration has advanced indigenous rights and participation. Bolivia's first indigenous vice president (under Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, 1993-1997),Victor Hugo Cardenas, applauded the progress of the indigenous, noting their presence in municipal government, the cabinet, congress, and the Constituent Assembly. He said unlike in the past, the indigenous do not have to belong to a political party to participate directly in politics. Others, however, said indigenous political participation is merely symbolic. LA PAZ 00003223 002 OF 003 One analyst said that although the indigenous voted for President Morales, they are "not in power." Others lamented the presence of only a handful of indigenous cabinet members and noted that all are of a like ideological mind. One participant wryly commented that Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera (who is of European descent) is "more indigenous than President Morales." ¶5. (C) Several members of the group urged Shapiro not to confuse the goals, aspirations and politics of Bolivia's indigenous with region-wide leftist trends. They noted that the GOB officials who now waive the indigenous flag and champion their cause are former opponents of indigenous rights who dismissed indigenous issues as racist. The leftists, they said, manipulate the indigenous in order to achieve their own goal of creating a socialist state. One participant warned against similar developments in Peru and Ecuador, where the indigenous are also clamoring for change. -------------- CRITICISMS OF PRESIDENT MORALES -------------- ¶6. (C) While most participants agreed that Morales' "revolution" is positive, several criticized the manner in which change is being affected. One called Morales a demagogue; another described the GOB as totalitarian. One former indigenous politician said Morales is generating conflict regarding land reform, the Constituent Assembly and control of Bolivia's governors because "he can't achieve his desired ends the right way." Still another criticized the Morales administration's lack of policy and viable programs, saying that Morales' radical discourse has not resulted in change. On the fight against corruption, one of Morales' campaign pillars, several invitees expressed disappointment, stating that instead of punishing corruption, Morales has ignored or rewarded it (in one case by considering naming former YPFB President Jorge Alvarado as an ambassador). Even a MAS supporter criticized Morales' failure to understand that "Bolivia is more than Cochabamba," apparently referring to Morales' excessive attention to his cocalero base in the Chapare. ¶7. (C) Several speakers also noted the GOB's tendency to exacerbate social conflict. They described the Morales administration as exercising a type of reverse racism, or new brand of discrimination, in which the indigenous have become Morales' favored sons to the detriment of the non-indigenous. They expressed dissatisfaction with the growing racial divide in society, and one said Morales is "too Aymaran," alluding to the exclusion of other indigenous groups. The group also criticized Morales' implied support for the east-west conflict in Bolivian society. One MAS supporter proved the exception, seizing the opportunity to criticize the Santa Cruz "oligarchy" and to lament the lack of development assistance in western Bolivia. -------------- HOPES PINNED TO THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY -------------- ¶8. (C) The group had varying concerns regarding the Constituent Assembly, which it described as the key instrument for change, including its political polarization and lack of results to date. One analyst from eastern Bolivia said the new constitution should not represent the views of the current administration, but should endure past Morales' term. A female politician from El Alto hoped that LA PAZ 00003223 003 OF 003 the Assembly would protect Bolivia's most vulnerable citizens-- women and children. All expressed a desire for concrete results from the Assembly. Several participants raised the possibility of presidential re-election via the new constitution, with one commenting "if Morales wants to be re-elected, he's not really indigenous," given the indigenous tradition for rotating leadership positions. -------------- CUBA/VENEZUELA: MEDDLING OR ASSISTANCE? -------------- ¶9. (C) The majority of participants appeared to resent Cuban/Venezuelan interference. Several said Cubans/Venezuelans are heavily influencing Bolivia's new constitution, and expressed frustration that Venezuelan military officials are giving orders to Bolivian troops and providing Morales' security. Cardenas believed Morales is building a Cuban socialist state under the guise of "social communitarianism" and called Bolivia "the international pawn of Cuba and Venezuela." Another participant disagreed, saying Morales' moderation in certain areas, such as renegotiating hydrocarbons contracts, undermines that conclusion. The same participant, a MAS-affiliated indigenous politician, said that poor Bolivians appreciate Cuban and Venezuelan aid, particularly in the health sector. He noted that more than a million people live in El Alto and that there are a total of only 500 hospital beds. Therefore he is grateful for the Cuban-run clinic. -------------- COMMENT: STAY IN THE GAME -------------- ¶10. (C) While the participants expressed a wide range of views, most seemed more committed to democracy than Morales' political project. They asked the USG to recognize the many contradictions in Bolivian society, and reminded us not to fall into the trap of stereotyping Bolivia's indigenous. The participants urged support for a new generation of democratic, indigenous leaders. Above all else, they seemed to be urging the USG to stay in the game in Bolivia. ¶11. (C) Bio data: The following five were the most impressive of the indigenous leaders and are worth keeping an eye on: -- Potosi Mayor Renee Joaquino, the founder of the Social Alliance (AS) party and a rising center-left indigenous leader who we judge to be a contender in the next presidential elections -- Former Vice President Victor Hugo Cardenas, a brilliant analyst whose political future has probably been tainted by his association with former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada -- Fernando Untoja, founder of the Ayra political party, and a strong academic/analyst -- Bertha Acarapi, president of the El Alto municipal council and an up-and-coming Aymara leader -- Gustavo Morales, MAS member of the El Alto municipal council This message was cleared by PDAS Shapiro. GOLDBERG