Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ1060
2007-04-17 11:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY: A LONG "TO DO" LIST
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001060
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY: A LONG "TO DO" LIST
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 001060
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY: A LONG "TO DO" LIST
Classified By: Ecopol Counselor Andrew Erickson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (SBU) Bolivia's Constituent Assembly (CA) wrapped up its
national tour over the weekend of April 14-15 and will resume
work in commissions April 16. Press reports estimate that
the new constitution may have as many as 300 articles (the
current constitution has 234),and that the Assembly has
received over 3,000 proposals. The commissions have until
May 15 to digest these proposals and present their reports to
the CA plenary.
2. (SBU) From May 15 through June 15, the plenary is
scheduled to debate the commissions' proposals. One press
article estimated that if debate on each article lasts six
hours (a low estimate for controversial provisions),debate
will run for 1,800 hours. Assuming eight hour workdays, the
Assembly would need 225 business days to complete its
preliminary debate. It has only 30.
3. (C) Comment: Despite persistent commentary by CA
delegates that they will need more time to complete their
mandate, MAS-affiliated social sectors have stated their
objections to an extension. Over the weekend, CA President
Silvia Lazarte announced that the Assembly will meet its
August 6 deadline, no matter how difficult. Podemos leader
and former Bolivian President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga expressed
doubt at an April 16 lunch with the Ambassador that the
Constituent Assembly would be able to complete its work by
August 6. Quiroga reported that Podemos constituents have
been approached by their MAS counterparts requesting Podemos
to join them in asking for a four month extension of the
deadline. The MAS apparently doesn't want to seek an
extension by itself, he said. Given the CA's track record to
date, the CA's goal of finishing its work by August 6 seems
out of reach. End comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY: A LONG "TO DO" LIST
Classified By: Ecopol Counselor Andrew Erickson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (SBU) Bolivia's Constituent Assembly (CA) wrapped up its
national tour over the weekend of April 14-15 and will resume
work in commissions April 16. Press reports estimate that
the new constitution may have as many as 300 articles (the
current constitution has 234),and that the Assembly has
received over 3,000 proposals. The commissions have until
May 15 to digest these proposals and present their reports to
the CA plenary.
2. (SBU) From May 15 through June 15, the plenary is
scheduled to debate the commissions' proposals. One press
article estimated that if debate on each article lasts six
hours (a low estimate for controversial provisions),debate
will run for 1,800 hours. Assuming eight hour workdays, the
Assembly would need 225 business days to complete its
preliminary debate. It has only 30.
3. (C) Comment: Despite persistent commentary by CA
delegates that they will need more time to complete their
mandate, MAS-affiliated social sectors have stated their
objections to an extension. Over the weekend, CA President
Silvia Lazarte announced that the Assembly will meet its
August 6 deadline, no matter how difficult. Podemos leader
and former Bolivian President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga expressed
doubt at an April 16 lunch with the Ambassador that the
Constituent Assembly would be able to complete its work by
August 6. Quiroga reported that Podemos constituents have
been approached by their MAS counterparts requesting Podemos
to join them in asking for a four month extension of the
deadline. The MAS apparently doesn't want to seek an
extension by itself, he said. Given the CA's track record to
date, the CA's goal of finishing its work by August 6 seems
out of reach. End comment.
GOLDBERG