SOUTH AMERICAN SUMMIT

UNCLAS LA PAZ 003324 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL SUBJECT: SOUTH AMERICAN SUMMIT -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Second Summit of the Community of South American Nations (CSN) is scheduled to take place December 8-9 in Cochabamba. Reports differ on how many presidents will attend, but on December 7, the GOB claimed that 11 South American presidents have confirmed their attendance, although we understand from embassies in La Paz that President Kirchner of Argentina and Uribe of Columbia will not come. On October 2, President Morales announced his proposal for the summit, which advocates establishing "South American citizenship;" creation of an energy commission for energy integration and a South American development bank; depenalization and industrialization of coca; and establishment of a common voice to "defend against globalization and liberalism." South America's presidents will arrive in Cochabamba at a time of heightened social tension, with over 1,000 people nationwide protesting Morales' heavy-handedness in the Constituent Assembly. Indigenous peoples and up to fifty leftist, social groups will be hosting a parallel summit in Cochabamba called the Social Summit for the People's Integration. Given the current unrest, Morales is clearly concerned about how his peers will view the summit, and is planning to mobilize over 4,000 police officers (with the armed forces on alert) to assist with security. End Summary. -------------- Attendees at this Year's Summit -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Reports differ on how many presidents will attend, but on December 7, the GOB claimed that 11 South American presidents have confirmed their attendance, although we understand from embassies in La Paz that President Kirchner of Argentina and Uribe of Columbia will not come. Mexico and Panama will send delegations to attend as observers. Several regional and international organizations such as CARICOM, MERCOSUR, CAN, the UN, and the EU have also been invited. -------------- Morales' Proposal -------------- ¶3. (SBU) On October 2, President Morales announced his proposal for the summit, which advocates establishing South American citizenship; creation of an energy commission for energy integration (including hydrocarbons nationalization) and a South American development bank; depenalization and industrialization of coca; and establishment of a common South American voice to promote "fair commerce that will overcome liberalism" and to defend against globalization and a uni-polar world. The proposal also suggests that CSN presidents work towards a "treaty which will make the CSN a real South American block on a political, economic, social and cultural level." -------------- -------------- Turmoil Everywhere -- Three Strikes and Who,s Out? -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) South America's presidents will arrive in Cochabamba at a time of heightened social tension with over 1,000 people on hunger strikes nationwide protesting Morales' heavy-handedness in the Constituent Assembly. Until late December 5, Cochabamba was also suffering from two work stoppages -- a transportation workers strike and a small-businessmen strike. The two strikes crippled circulation within the city, raising the fear that the summit would be disrupted. Transportation workers agreed to suspend the strike for the summit. Small business owners also called off their strike, but there remain a few angry strikers who have decided to stage a fake "crucifixion" in the main square. In addition to the political turmoil, Cochabambinos (residents of Cochabamba) have been forced to battle standing water and thick mud, the result of recent heavy rains, to re-beautify meeting venues. -------------- Parallel Summit -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Indigenous peoples and up to fifty leftist social groups will be hosting a parallel summit in Cochabamba called the Social Summit for the People's Integration. Estimates are that over 3,000 people will attend the alternative summit. The themes of the Social Summit are very similar to those proposed by President Morales. A key goal of the parallel summit's organizers is the strengthening of popular resistance to "neoliberalism" and free trade agreements including the Free Trade Area of the Americas. The summit will also serve as a platform to promote the Peoples Trade Agreement between Bolivia, Cuba, and Venezuela. According to press reports, both President Morales and Venezuelan President Chavez plan to attend and speak at the alternative summit. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Given the current unrest, Morales is clearly concerned about how his peers will view the upcoming summit, and is planning to mobilize over 4,000 police officers (with the armed forces on alert) to assist with security. Army Commander and MAS ally General Freddy Bersatti has tried to downplay the arrangements as normal security measures that are taken when heads of state visit Bolivia. End Comment. URS