Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ3355
2006-12-12 21:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:  

SOUTH AMERICAN SUMMIT: ALL HYPE NO SUBSTANCE

Tags:  PGOV PREL ECON BL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #3355/01 3462149
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 122149Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1630
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6381
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3705
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7575
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4825
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2077
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 0372
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2150
RUEHMU/AMEMBASSY MANAGUA 0473
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 1969
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4273
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0244
RUEHPO/AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO 0072
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4714
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9299
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003355 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: SOUTH AMERICAN SUMMIT: ALL HYPE NO SUBSTANCE

REF: LA PAZ 3324

Classified By: Ecopol Chief Andrew Erickson for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003355

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: SOUTH AMERICAN SUMMIT: ALL HYPE NO SUBSTANCE

REF: LA PAZ 3324

Classified By: Ecopol Chief Andrew Erickson for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

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


1. (SBU) On December 8-9, Cochabamba played host to the
Second Summit of the South American Community of Nations
(CSN). Despite Bolivia's current political turmoil (reftel),
nine presidents attended the conference. Cochabamba's lack
of experience hosting such a high-profile event was obvious,
but press coverage was favorable. The summit's declaration
contained little substance beyond priorities discussed at
previous CSN summits. In addition to the formal summit,
regional indigenous peoples and leftist groups from around
the world -- co-opted by Castro, Chavez, and Morales
supporters -- held an alternative summit to re-enforce and
broaden Morales' image and message. For maximum public
relations exposure, Morales choreographed the closing of both
summits at a massive rally in Cochabamba's soccer stadium.
In his closing speech, Morales focused on domestic issues,
attacking his political opposition, "oligarchs," wealthy
landowners, the media and the United States (although his
anti-U.S. comments were restrained compared to those of Hugo
Chavez). While lacking in substance, the summits were yet
another public relations coup for Morales. End Summary.

--------------
Attendees
--------------


2. (U) Despite Bolivia's current political turmoil (reftel),
the presidents of Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Guyana, Peru,
Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela attended the summit.
Argentina and Ecuador sent their vice-presidents, Columbia
sent its foreign minister, and Suriname sent a low-level
delegation. Presidents-elect Correa of Ecuador and Daniel
Ortega of Nicaragua attended as observers. Mexico, Panama,
and various international organizations sent lower-level
observer delegations.

--------------
The Official Summit -- Morales' Media Savvy
--------------


3. (SBU) Cochabamba's lack of experience hosting such a
high-profile event was obvious, but press coverage was
favorable. Presidents were dispersed in hotels throughout

city and complained about accommodations (mostly because
President Chavez's delegation occupied the nicest hotel).
Morales' opening speech was unusually restrained and aimed at
projecting an air of statesmanship. With the TV cameras
rolling, President Morales asked his summit colleagues if
they would be comfortable having their working session
televised. None of the presidents refused so the entire
working session was aired live.

--------------
The Cochabamba Declaration - Substance Free
--------------


4. (SBU) The Cochabamba Declaration, the main product of the
summit, outlines thirteen objectives, each largely a
reiteration of priorities from previous CSN declarations.
The objectives, short on details, include such themes as
integration of energy, infrastructure, financial mechanisms,
and industry. Other themes include economic and defense
cooperation, migration, South American citizenship, cultural
identity, as well as environmental protection. The
Declaration calls for a commission of high-level officials,
based in Rio de Janeiro, to work on an executive plan for
implementing the objectives. It also contains a Brazilian
proposal regarding the possible establishment of a South
American parliament.

--------------
Parallel Summit
--------------


5. (SBU) In addition to the formal summit, regional
indigenous peoples and leftist groups from around the world
-- co-opted by Castro, Chavez and Morales supporters -- held
an alternative summit to re-enforce and broaden Morales'
image and message. The alternative summit consisted of
Bolivian artisans selling crafts, various groups giving away
or selling propaganda and multimedia (Cuba and Venezuela had
their own booths),and workshops with titles such as
"Solidarity in the Integration of South America in the Fight
Against the Imperialists." Emboffs attended parts of several
workshops. The speakers at the workshops were mostly
foreigners, typically Cuban, Venezuelan, and European. The
"students" were largely Bolivian peasants.

--------------
The Closing Ceremony and the Hugo Factor
--------------


6. (SBU) For maximum public relations exposure, Morales
choreographed the closing of both summits at a massive rally
in Cochabamba's soccer stadium. Approximately 35,000 of
Morales' indigenous supporters and another thousand or more
foreigners attended. While most of the presidents had
already departed Cochabamba, Argentina's Vice-President
Daniel Scioli, Daniel Ortega, Hugo Chavez, and Evo Morales
spoke. Hugo Chavez, as expected, ranted against
"neoliberalism," free trade agreements, and the "North
American empire." He drew parallels between Bolivia's
current political crisis and the situation in Venezuela in
2001-2002. He menacingly warned the Bolivian military
against coup plotting, and promised that Venezuela stood
ready to Morales' revolution, declaring Venezuela's
unconditional, including military, support for Bolivia's
struggle against "the oligarchs."


7. (SBU) In his closing speech, Morales focused on domestic
issues, attacking his political opposition, "oligarchs,"
wealthy landowners, the media and the United States (although
his anti-U.S. comments were restrained). Railing against
opposition hunger-strikers, he argued that they were rich
because they stole from Bolivia and that their strikes were
merely a tactic to retain their privileges. Morales managed
to take credit for the passage of ATPDEA, without actually
naming the trade benefits as ATPDEA or mentioning the United
States. He praised Cuban and Venezuelan humanitarian
assistance but omitted any mention of U.S. aid. While the
multitude appeared to enjoy the speeches, one Emboff who was
in the crowd noted that the people clapped and chanted when
it was appropriate as if following orders, but mostly sat
passively. (Note: Indigenous Bolivians sat in the stands,
but foreigners had the good seats near the stage. End Note).
The crowd became truly animated when Morales prematurely
announced that Cochabamba would host the future South
American parliament. (Note: The summit declaration does not
include any text regarding the location of the parliament.
End Note).

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


8. (C) To the public eye, Morales played the dual roles of
regional player and domestic political streetfighter. He was
showered with praise from his presidential peers for hosting
the summit; meanwhile, he attacked the opposition and
energized his base at the closing ceremony. Behind the
scenes the summit was considerably less successful. Morales'
rather naive push to televise the entire proceeding
essentially guaranteed that little substantive work could
occur and in the end Chile and Peru offered defenses of
pro-U.S. positions. While lacking in substance, the summits
were a partial public relations coup for Morales, garnering
two days of positive press which overshadowed stories about
the domestic political situation. Yet, the Cochabamba
Declaration contained no mention of Morales' main goals --
depenalization of coca and access to the sea. End Comment.
GOLDBERG