Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ3258
2006-12-01 20:26:00
SECRET
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:  

THE MEDIA LUNA DECEMBER 1 CIVIC STRIKE

Tags:  ECON PGOV PREL BL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4379
PP RUEHLMC
DE RUEHLP #3258/01 3352026
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 012026Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1514
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6348
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3672
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7535
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4792
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2044
RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 0596
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2116
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3207
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 1940
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4242
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4681
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9266
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 0910
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 2077
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 003258 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: THE MEDIA LUNA DECEMBER 1 CIVIC STRIKE

Classified By: CDA Kris Urs for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

-------
SUMMARY
-------

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 003258

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: THE MEDIA LUNA DECEMBER 1 CIVIC STRIKE

Classified By: CDA Kris Urs for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (U) On December 1 the departments of Santa Cruz, Beni,
and Tarija began a one day civic strike in response to
frustration with recent GOB moves on a variety of fronts. The
strike is also being partially observed in Pando, Cochabamba,
and parts of Chuquisaca. The strike is due to end at 6 p.m.
As of 4 p.m. there have been no reports of violence. End
summary.

--------------
SANTA CRUZ PARTICIPATES MASSIVELY
--------------


2. (C) Eduardo Bowles, Director of Santa Cruz-based El
Nuevo Dia newspaper, told Emboff the strike is enjoying
massive participation from all sectors of Santa Cruz society
and that is peaceful. Earlier today the press reported there
would be some MAS-backed counter-protests. Tarija Civic
Comittee member Amilcar Taboada said that the strike is
enjoying outstanding support throughout the whole department,
including the Chaco region. Taboada said the strike has been
violence free in Tarija. Contacts in Cochabamba report that
the strike has received about fifty percent of the
population's support. Private business and the prefectural
government is closed, but the Cochabamba city government has
chosen to remain open. Press reports the strike is has
popular support in Beni. The Pando civic committee organized
a protest parade in lieu of a strike.

--------------
MILITARY LOCK DOWN
--------------


3. (S) USDAO reports that the Bolivian military is on lock
down to prevent the armed forces from supporting the strike.

--------------
PREFECT LOOKS TOWARDS BUSINESS COMMUNITY
--------------


4. (C) During a thirty minute meeting November 30 on the
margins of the CICAD,s 40th session in Santa Cruz, Prefect
Ruben Costas assured the DCM that the December 1 civic strike
in Santa Cruz would be complete. Costas said that the one
day strike had the support of the entire Departmental
council, with the exception of the council member from San
Julian (a notorious MAS stronghold). He expected that the
strike would also be honored in Beni, Tarija and partially in
Cochabamba. &Pando opted for an opposition march in lieu of
a strike.8 Costas was not confident that the opposition
could continue the pressure after the Friday strike; one
idea, he said, was to stage a massive hunger strike starting
Monday, December 4. &Our window of opportunity is very
short,8 he said. &By December 15, the entire country will
shut down for the Christmas season; if the government has not
backed down by then, it will be impossible for the opposition
to win,8 he concluded. Costas said he had begun to approach
the Santa Cruz business sector for funding. Organizing a
civic strike costs money, he said. &The business elite will
benefit from repeal of the recently passed land reform act;
they should contribute.8


5. (C) While admitting that he is not an expert on the rules
for convening alternates to attend the Senate, Costas alleged
that recent Senate approval of land reform legislation, the
Venezuela/Bolivia Defense agreement, and forty-four new
petroleum contracts was undemocratic. Admiting he had no

LA PAZ 00003258 002 OF 002


proof, Costas said he had not doubt that the single
opposition senator and the two opposition alternates who
attended the session had been bribed. &The entire incident
signals a lack of democratic commitment on the part of the
government.8 Costas asserted that the GOB is pressing
forward with plans to concentrate all power in its hands.
The governing MAS party must consolidate power before the
internal contradictions tear it apart. The prefect said he
understands why the USG has taken a low-key approach towards
the Morales Government; a more confrontational approach might
well be counterproductive. Nevertheless, he said, some
elements in Santa Cruz are disheartened by the USG,s failure
to confront the Morales Government so far.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


6. (C) Embassy contacts say President Morales is trying
convene all nine civic committees in Sucre on December 3.
Post will continue to monitor the strike and developing
events. End comment.
URS