Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ1086
2007-04-18 19:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
ONE KILLED IN INTERNAL BORDER DISPUTE: GOB BLAMES
VZCZCXYZ0033 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLP #1086 1081947 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 181947Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3237 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6712 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 4040 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7930 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 5178 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2408 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2531 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3425 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4552 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 5047 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9632 RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0268 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS LA PAZ 001086
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
ENERGY FOR CDAY AND SLADISLAW
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ENRG EPET BL
SUBJECT: ONE KILLED IN INTERNAL BORDER DISPUTE: GOB BLAMES
PREFECT
UNCLAS LA PAZ 001086
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
ENERGY FOR CDAY AND SLADISLAW
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ENRG EPET BL
SUBJECT: ONE KILLED IN INTERNAL BORDER DISPUTE: GOB BLAMES
PREFECT
1. One protester was killed and up to twenty wounded by
police and military guards in an internal border conflict
that turned violent on April 17 in the Chaco, southern
Bolivia. The Great Chaco province of Tarija began a strike
on April 16, demanding that the government resolve various
issues, including defining the boundaries between two
provinces. The boundary definition will impact provincial
revenues from the hydrocarbons sector, as it will determine
which province contains one of the largest gas reserves of
the country, Margarita. The Great Chaco demanded that the
GOB recuse Prefect Mario Cossio from making the border
decision, due to alleged bias, and entrust the decision to
the Potosi Prefect Mario Virreira. When protesters attempted
to take over the Transredes natural gas facilities that
supply gas to Tarija and Argentina, police and military
guards intervened with tear gas and bullets. Minister of
Government Alfredo Rada claimed that orders had only been
given to use rubber bullets, and Vice President Alvaro Garcia
Linera faulted Tarija Prefect Mario Cossio for failing to
resolve the border dispute. The GOB decided on April 18 to
recuse Cossio.
2. Comment: In this battle over hydrocarbons resources,
protesters have once more forced the hand of the GOB into
acquiescing to unreasonable demands that go against
established procedures and regulations. In this case, the
demands seem to serve the GOB interest of wresting power away
from opposition Prefect Mario Cossio. End comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
ENERGY FOR CDAY AND SLADISLAW
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ENRG EPET BL
SUBJECT: ONE KILLED IN INTERNAL BORDER DISPUTE: GOB BLAMES
PREFECT
1. One protester was killed and up to twenty wounded by
police and military guards in an internal border conflict
that turned violent on April 17 in the Chaco, southern
Bolivia. The Great Chaco province of Tarija began a strike
on April 16, demanding that the government resolve various
issues, including defining the boundaries between two
provinces. The boundary definition will impact provincial
revenues from the hydrocarbons sector, as it will determine
which province contains one of the largest gas reserves of
the country, Margarita. The Great Chaco demanded that the
GOB recuse Prefect Mario Cossio from making the border
decision, due to alleged bias, and entrust the decision to
the Potosi Prefect Mario Virreira. When protesters attempted
to take over the Transredes natural gas facilities that
supply gas to Tarija and Argentina, police and military
guards intervened with tear gas and bullets. Minister of
Government Alfredo Rada claimed that orders had only been
given to use rubber bullets, and Vice President Alvaro Garcia
Linera faulted Tarija Prefect Mario Cossio for failing to
resolve the border dispute. The GOB decided on April 18 to
recuse Cossio.
2. Comment: In this battle over hydrocarbons resources,
protesters have once more forced the hand of the GOB into
acquiescing to unreasonable demands that go against
established procedures and regulations. In this case, the
demands seem to serve the GOB interest of wresting power away
from opposition Prefect Mario Cossio. End comment.
GOLDBERG