SPAIN: DEPUTY FM ON "MODERATE" EVO MORALES VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000035

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SP BO
SUBJECT: SPAIN: DEPUTY FM ON "MODERATE" EVO MORALES VISIT

REF: MADRID 32

Classified By: DCM Bob Manzanares for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. Deputy Foreign Minister Bernardino Leon
called Charge on January 5 to pass on his impressions of
Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales' meeting with Foreign
Minister Moratinos. Leon assessed that the meeting was a
good introduction but not very substantive. He noted that
Morales was quite moderate in all his meetings in Spain
(reftel). He said that Moratinos impressed on Morales that
the US, Spain, and the EU could be helpful to Bolivia and
that it was important that Morales not alienate any of the
parties because it would hurt Bolivia in the long run
economically and politically. Leon reported that Moratinos
also emphasized the need for Morales to govern
democratically. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Deputy FM Leon spoke with Charge about the January 4
meeting in Madrid between FM Moratinos and President-elect
Morales. Leon said that Moratinos had advised Morales to
work with, rather than antagonize, the US. He said that
Moratinos pointed out to Morales that the US, Spain, and the
EU could be helpful to Bolivia and that it was important that
Morales not alienate any of the parties because it would hurt
Bolivia in the long run economically and politically.
According to Leon, Moratinos impressed on Morales that, as
the undisputed winner of a very democratic election, he now
needs to govern democratically. Leon said that Morales made
all the right noises and said he would listen to the advice
of all. Morales also acknowledged that he was new to the
business of running a country and would accept advice from
GOS.


3. (C) Leon reported that Moratinos told Morales to tone
down his rhetoric with regards to the US. Morales
responded by saying that he had said much in the heat of
the campaign but understood it would need to be
different now that he had come to power. Morales
mentioned his recent meeting with US Ambassador to
Bolivia Greenlee and said he had been left with a
positive impression and the hope that Bolivia and the
US could work to some common understanding.


4. (C) With regards to Spanish business concerns, Morales
told Moratinos that the idea was not to expropriate
properties or assets from the Spanish or other foreign
companies but that the rules of how Bolivian natural assets
would be managed would change to favor Bolivians rather
than the companies.


5. (C) According to Leon, Morales was very moderate in all
his meetings with GOS officials as well as in meetings with
Spanish business leaders. But, Leon said, we have to
wait and see how he governs once he assumes the Presidency.
AGUIRRE