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

Tags:  PGOV ECON ENRG EPET BL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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