Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ3457
2006-12-21 21:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:  

MAS SEEKS TO UNDERMINE COCHABAMBA OPPOSITION

Tags:  PGOV PREL BL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0008
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #3457/01 3552111
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 212111Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1886
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6412
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0108
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3736
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7610
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4858
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2108
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0202
RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI 0083
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2182
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 0089
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0104
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3239
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 1995
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4304
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0111
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0452
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0109
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4745
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0279
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9332
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0156
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 0735
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0268
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 0840
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 0939
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 2113
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003457 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: MAS SEEKS TO UNDERMINE COCHABAMBA OPPOSITION

REF: LA PAZ 3354

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

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 003457

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: MAS SEEKS TO UNDERMINE COCHABAMBA OPPOSITION

REF: LA PAZ 3354

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

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


1. (C) On December 14, Prefect Manfred Reyes Villa led a
march attended by over 50,000 people in favor of autonomy and
a two-thirds vote on constitutional articles in the pivotal
department of Cochabamba. In response to the march, the
Regional Workers Federation (COD) held a protest on December
19, which erupted into violence after someone threw a tear
gas grenade. The COD, joined by other social organizations,
vowed on December 20 to pressure the prefect to resign. The
COD's planned pressure tactics against Reyes Villa seem to be
a thinly-veiled MAS attempt to oust a formidable opposition
leader in the "swing state" of Cochabamba. End summary.

--------------
Counter-March Erupts into Violence
--------------


2. (C) On December 14, Prefect of Cochabamba Manfred Reyes
Villa led a march in favor of national unity, regional
autonomy, and the argument that new constitutional articles
should be approved by two-thirds of constituent assembly
members. More than 50,000 people participated in the march.
Reyes Villa proposed holding a referendum on autonomy within
sixty days. In response to the march, the Regional Workers
Federation (COD) held a protest against the two-thirds vote
and autonomy on December 19. The protest became violent
after a tear gas grenade exploded. Protesters blamed the
police for the explosion, while the police chief blamed
university students. Protesters responded to the tear gas by
throwing sticks and stones at the police.

-------------- --------------
MAS-Backed Social Groups Demand Prefect's Resignation
-------------- --------------


3. (C) The COD convened a meeting on December 20 attended by
over forty social sector groups to discuss retaliatory
measures against the prefect. Reyes Villa denied that he had
authorized the use of tear gas against the protesters and
said that the police had found dynamite in some protesters'
backpacks. However, the COD vowed to pressure the prefect
until he resigned, calling him a fascist oligarch. According
to press reports, a Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) senator
declared that MAS-affiliated sectors back the COD's decision.
Reyes Villa stated that he would not resign and that
democracy would be respected. MAS support in Cochabamba is
high; however, the province is divided. Reyes Villa, who was
elected democratically in December 2005 under his own
political party banner, also enjoys significant support -- 47
percent according to polls conducted in early December.
--------------
Comment
--------------


4. (C) The COD's plan to force Prefect Manfred Reyes Villa
from power seems to be a thinly-veiled MAS attempt to oust a
formidable opposition leader in the pivotal department of
Cochabamba. The threats against Reyes Villa are reminiscent
of the actions taken against La Paz' opposition Prefect Jose
Luis "Pepe Lucho" Paredes earlier this month (reftel). End
comment.
GOLDBERG