Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ1351
2007-05-16 12:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT MORALES INAUGURATE TUNNEL
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 001351
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT MORALES INAUGURATE TUNNEL
LIGHTING
Classified By: Amb. Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 001351
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT MORALES INAUGURATE TUNNEL
LIGHTING
Classified By: Amb. Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) President Evo Morales and the Ambassador inaugurated
a USAID-sponsored tunnel illumination system along the
Cochabamba - Santa Cruz road on May 10. President Morales
thanked the United States for its assistance while
underscoring his oft-repeated insistence that "any assistance
be unconditional." At a cordial lunch after the lighting
ceremony, the president told the Ambassador that the GOB's
negotiation for the Petrobras refineries was an example of
Bolivia "asserting itself." Morales called the popular
election of prefects "a mistake" and said the current
electoral system guarantees there will be problems between
the president and the prefects. Later, the Ambassador
pointed out that the U.S.-Bolivia bilateral investment treaty
(BIT) contains legal provisions governing termination. The
president claimed no knowledge of the subject and suggested
that the USG take the issue up with the foreign minister.
End summary.
--------------
AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT LIGHT TUNNELS
--------------
2. (U) The Ambassador and President Evo Morales
participated in a May 10 inauguration ceremony to illuminate
two tunnels located in El Sillar, an area along the
economically strategic road that links Cochabamba and Santa
Cruz. USAID contributed $165,000 to the project. Vice
Minister of Social Defense Felipe Caceres, Vice Minister of
Coordination with Social Movements Sacha Llorenti, and USAID
Director Michael Yates attended the event. The Ambassador
stressed that the USG has been working with Bolivia for over
sixty years and that the two countries continue to be
partners. President Morales thanked the United States for
its assistance while underscoring his oft-repeated preference
that "any assistance be unconditional." The president added
that he hopes "cooperation agreements can be improved to
avoid the plundering of our natural resources."
--------------
A QUICK LUNCHEON
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador and the president lunched at a trout
restaurant (one of Morales' favorites) immediately after the
tunnel ceremony. During the forty-five minute lunch, the
president told the Ambassador that the GOB's negotiation for
the Petrobras refineries was an example of Bolivia "asserting
itself." Morales called the popular election of prefects "a
mistake" and said the current electoral system guarantees
there will be problems between the president and the
prefects. Touching on the GOB's recent announcement that it
will renegotiate BITs with twenty-two countries, the
Ambassador pointed out that the U.S.-Bolivia BIT will remain
in force until 2011, and will continue in force until one
year after a party provides the other with written
notification of termination. The president claimed no
knowledge of the subject and suggested the matter be taken up
with the foreign minister.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) The president looked tired and, in keeping with his
usual hectic pace, was in a hurry. That morning he had a
meeting with visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Roque, and that
evening, he was scheduled to address the nation to announce
LA PAZ 00001351 002 OF 002
the GOB's heavy handed purchase of the Petrobras refineries.
President Morales was cordial, although his public comments
revisited his insistence that any assistance be
"unconditional." End Comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT MORALES INAUGURATE TUNNEL
LIGHTING
Classified By: Amb. Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) President Evo Morales and the Ambassador inaugurated
a USAID-sponsored tunnel illumination system along the
Cochabamba - Santa Cruz road on May 10. President Morales
thanked the United States for its assistance while
underscoring his oft-repeated insistence that "any assistance
be unconditional." At a cordial lunch after the lighting
ceremony, the president told the Ambassador that the GOB's
negotiation for the Petrobras refineries was an example of
Bolivia "asserting itself." Morales called the popular
election of prefects "a mistake" and said the current
electoral system guarantees there will be problems between
the president and the prefects. Later, the Ambassador
pointed out that the U.S.-Bolivia bilateral investment treaty
(BIT) contains legal provisions governing termination. The
president claimed no knowledge of the subject and suggested
that the USG take the issue up with the foreign minister.
End summary.
--------------
AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT LIGHT TUNNELS
--------------
2. (U) The Ambassador and President Evo Morales
participated in a May 10 inauguration ceremony to illuminate
two tunnels located in El Sillar, an area along the
economically strategic road that links Cochabamba and Santa
Cruz. USAID contributed $165,000 to the project. Vice
Minister of Social Defense Felipe Caceres, Vice Minister of
Coordination with Social Movements Sacha Llorenti, and USAID
Director Michael Yates attended the event. The Ambassador
stressed that the USG has been working with Bolivia for over
sixty years and that the two countries continue to be
partners. President Morales thanked the United States for
its assistance while underscoring his oft-repeated preference
that "any assistance be unconditional." The president added
that he hopes "cooperation agreements can be improved to
avoid the plundering of our natural resources."
--------------
A QUICK LUNCHEON
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador and the president lunched at a trout
restaurant (one of Morales' favorites) immediately after the
tunnel ceremony. During the forty-five minute lunch, the
president told the Ambassador that the GOB's negotiation for
the Petrobras refineries was an example of Bolivia "asserting
itself." Morales called the popular election of prefects "a
mistake" and said the current electoral system guarantees
there will be problems between the president and the
prefects. Touching on the GOB's recent announcement that it
will renegotiate BITs with twenty-two countries, the
Ambassador pointed out that the U.S.-Bolivia BIT will remain
in force until 2011, and will continue in force until one
year after a party provides the other with written
notification of termination. The president claimed no
knowledge of the subject and suggested the matter be taken up
with the foreign minister.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) The president looked tired and, in keeping with his
usual hectic pace, was in a hurry. That morning he had a
meeting with visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Roque, and that
evening, he was scheduled to address the nation to announce
LA PAZ 00001351 002 OF 002
the GOB's heavy handed purchase of the Petrobras refineries.
President Morales was cordial, although his public comments
revisited his insistence that any assistance be
"unconditional." End Comment.
GOLDBERG