Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ1166
2007-04-26 17:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
DONATED VENEZUELAN TRACTORS CANNOT BE USED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLP #1166 1161706 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 261706Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3361 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6732 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 4062 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7950 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 5198 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2428 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2555 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3436 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4567 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 5068 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9651 RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0283 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 001166
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
ENERGY FOR CDAY AND SLADISLAW
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAGR EAID PREL PGOV BL
SUBJECT: DONATED VENEZUELAN TRACTORS CANNOT BE USED
UNCLAS LA PAZ 001166
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
ENERGY FOR CDAY AND SLADISLAW
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAGR EAID PREL PGOV BL
SUBJECT: DONATED VENEZUELAN TRACTORS CANNOT BE USED
1. (U) Several press reports throughout the month of April
have noted that over 300 Venezuelan-Iranian-made tractors
donated to municipalities throughout Bolivia over the past
few months by Venezuela under the auspices of the People's
Trade Agreement (TCP) and the Bolivarian Alternative for the
Americas (ALBA) have been sitting idly due to their lack of
plows and other essential parts. On April 21, eight
municipalities denounced that the donated tractors were
useless without the parts, and the agriculture minister
responded that it was the responsibility of the
municipalities to purchase the parts. The mayors have
complained that the parts cannot be funded because municipal
budgets have already been determined and that the tractors
have caused problems among residents because there are not
enough tractors to serve everyone. One mayor reportedly
requested permission from the GOB to sell his town's tractors
and use the money to buy a bulldozer for road maintenance.
2. (U) Comment: The donation of Venezuelan tractors, carried
out with much fanfare, initially increased GOB popularity but
is now becoming a thorn in its side. End comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH
ENERGY FOR CDAY AND SLADISLAW
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAGR EAID PREL PGOV BL
SUBJECT: DONATED VENEZUELAN TRACTORS CANNOT BE USED
1. (U) Several press reports throughout the month of April
have noted that over 300 Venezuelan-Iranian-made tractors
donated to municipalities throughout Bolivia over the past
few months by Venezuela under the auspices of the People's
Trade Agreement (TCP) and the Bolivarian Alternative for the
Americas (ALBA) have been sitting idly due to their lack of
plows and other essential parts. On April 21, eight
municipalities denounced that the donated tractors were
useless without the parts, and the agriculture minister
responded that it was the responsibility of the
municipalities to purchase the parts. The mayors have
complained that the parts cannot be funded because municipal
budgets have already been determined and that the tractors
have caused problems among residents because there are not
enough tractors to serve everyone. One mayor reportedly
requested permission from the GOB to sell his town's tractors
and use the money to buy a bulldozer for road maintenance.
2. (U) Comment: The donation of Venezuelan tractors, carried
out with much fanfare, initially increased GOB popularity but
is now becoming a thorn in its side. End comment.
GOLDBERG