FRENCH IMPRESSIONS OF MORALES VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000130

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/08/2016
TAGS: PGOV FR BO
SUBJECT: FRENCH IMPRESSIONS OF MORALES VISIT

REF: PARIS 104

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Presidential diplomatic advisor for the Americas
Dominique Boche characterized the 45 minute meeting January 7
between President Jacques Chirac and Bolivian President-elect
Evo Morales as positive. Morales reassured Chirac that
foreign investors would be provided a secure legal
environment in which to continue working in Bolivia,
indicating that he did not wish to jeopardize current
investment; in fact, more outside investment was necessary.
Boche indicated that Morales provided similar assurances in
meetings with France's employer's association MEDEF. (Note:
French energy company Total has a 15 percent stake in two
Bolivian gas fields, which are operated by the Brazilian firm
Petrobas, the largest natural gas producer in Bolivia. End
Note.) On the issue of coca cultivation, Morales explained
to Chirac that permitting traditional coca use need not
conflict with the fight against narco-trafficking.


2. (C) According to Boche, Morales did not offer any direct
criticism of the U.S., but said that USAID funds were being
conditioned to political requirements. Boche described
Morales as a serious interlocutor -- "not at all like
Chavez." In fact, Boche added, Morales had not mentioned
either Chavez or Castro in the meeting, making a point to
explain that he had his hands full with Bolivia and was not
seeking to inject himself in complicated international
issues.


3. (SBU) Following the meeting, Morales told reporters that
Chirac had offered his "unconditional support and solidarity"
and expressed his "admiration for the profound changes we are
undertaking." Chirac did not participate in the press
conference, but his office indicated that he was "very happy
to see the first representative of an Indian nation assume
the responsibilities of the president of Bolivia." Morales
also spoke January 6 at the Latin American House in Paris,
where he said that he sought national unity in Bolivia and
would fight to end corruption in the impoverished country.
Morales' singularity -- his indigenous roots, refusal to wear
a tie, and most of all, his reputation as a leader ready to
defy the U.S. -- endear him to many in the French media and
garnered his visit extensive, in some cases adulatory,
coverage.

Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm

Hofmann