Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ3369
2006-12-13 18:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
LARGE SCALE ASSEMBLIES PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 15
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003369
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: LARGE SCALE ASSEMBLIES PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 15
Classified By: Ecopol Counselor Andrew Erickson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003369
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: LARGE SCALE ASSEMBLIES PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 15
Classified By: Ecopol Counselor Andrew Erickson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (SBU) As its next measure opposing recent GOB strong-arm
tactics in the Constituent Assembly (CA) and congress, the
eastern departments of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija
(known collectively as the half-moon states) are planning
large-scale assemblies ("cabildos" in Spanish) to support
departmental autonomy and the two-thirds vote in the CA.
Most expect attendance of several thousand, but one high
estimate suggested that as many as a million people may
gather in Santa Cruz. In Cochabamba, a smaller assembly is
planned for December 14 to "defend Bolivian unity, democracy
and law."
2. (SBU) The GOB has announced that it will respect these
demonstrations, but it has also warned against rumored (and
isolated) independence movements that seek to divide Bolivia.
High level GOB officials have discounted speculation that
the Morales administration plans to impose martial law, and
have stated that the police/military presence in eastern
Bolivia continues at normal levels. However, pro-MAS social
sectors are planning "alternative cabildos" to "defend
Bolivia's unity" throughout the half-moon states, and perhaps
the department of Potosi.
3. (C) Comment: The stage is set for potential violence,
with pro-GOB social sectors and opposition events to take
place within ten blocks of each other in Santa Cruz.
Morales' rhetoric and continued attacks on the opposition,
eastern Bolivia and the press remain unhelpful, as does the
overheated rhetoric from the other side. Opposition
political insiders believe the GOB is waiting to see how much
political force the opposition can muster on December 15
before evaluating its next steps. End comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: LARGE SCALE ASSEMBLIES PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 15
Classified By: Ecopol Counselor Andrew Erickson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (SBU) As its next measure opposing recent GOB strong-arm
tactics in the Constituent Assembly (CA) and congress, the
eastern departments of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija
(known collectively as the half-moon states) are planning
large-scale assemblies ("cabildos" in Spanish) to support
departmental autonomy and the two-thirds vote in the CA.
Most expect attendance of several thousand, but one high
estimate suggested that as many as a million people may
gather in Santa Cruz. In Cochabamba, a smaller assembly is
planned for December 14 to "defend Bolivian unity, democracy
and law."
2. (SBU) The GOB has announced that it will respect these
demonstrations, but it has also warned against rumored (and
isolated) independence movements that seek to divide Bolivia.
High level GOB officials have discounted speculation that
the Morales administration plans to impose martial law, and
have stated that the police/military presence in eastern
Bolivia continues at normal levels. However, pro-MAS social
sectors are planning "alternative cabildos" to "defend
Bolivia's unity" throughout the half-moon states, and perhaps
the department of Potosi.
3. (C) Comment: The stage is set for potential violence,
with pro-GOB social sectors and opposition events to take
place within ten blocks of each other in Santa Cruz.
Morales' rhetoric and continued attacks on the opposition,
eastern Bolivia and the press remain unhelpful, as does the
overheated rhetoric from the other side. Opposition
political insiders believe the GOB is waiting to see how much
political force the opposition can muster on December 15
before evaluating its next steps. End comment.
GOLDBERG