FEJUVE EL ALTO REACHES OUT TO EMBASSY

UNCLAS LA PAZ 001389 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL SUBJECT: FEJUVE EL ALTO REACHES OUT TO EMBASSY ¶1. (SBU) At the invitation of the FEJUVE El Alto (El Alto neighborhood committee) supported foundation "Cha'amachasipxanani" (roughly 'we will work together' in Aymara),Emboffs attended a meeting on May 16 with representatives of politically powerful civic organizations including current and past presidents of FEJUVE El Alto, the director of SEDUCA (the state educational service),and representatives of the local parents' organization. The current president and past president of FEJUVE El Alto expressed a cautious interest in cooperation with the Embassy, a welcome development considering FEJUVE El Alto's often militant attitude and history of sporadic violence. ¶2. (SBU) After Cha'amachasipxanani President Abraham Flores Magme spoke about his organization and thanked the USG for past assistance, he ceded the floor to Nazario Ramirez, the current president of FEJUVE El Alto. Ramirez thanked the USG for past and continued support, but lamented the fact that, in his opinion, previous international aid often did not reach the poorest and neediest of Bolivia due to corrupt politics. Ramirez added that his organization and his people would accept help from anyone (Comment: A veiled reference to aid from Cuba and Venezuela. End comment.) ¶3. (SBU) Past president of FEJUVE El Alto Eliodoro Equiapaza (president from 2003 to 2005) was more collegial. Equiapaza thanked the USG for past assistance, stating that years ago El Alto didn't even know what USAID stood for, but now the residents appreciate USG assistance. Discussing the violence of 2003, Equiapaza commented that whereas then the graffiti said "Fuera yanquis" (Yankees go home),today the residents of El Alto know that they can work with the USG. According to Equiapaza, the people of El Alto used to be angry because they were poor and they felt they had been abandoned or even victimized by their past governments. Although they are still poor, Equiapaza said that the people of El Alto are no longer angry and that they want to work with the Embassy. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: FEJUVE El Alto President Ramirez has met with Emboffs a number of times in the past year, cautiously reaching out to the Embassy. He has stated that he wants FEJUVE El Alto to have a good relationship with the Embassy. That former president Equiapaza reviewed past USG assistance also sent a message to those present that the United States is a reliable partner. The Embassy will continue outreach to FEJUVE El Alto and to other indigenous groups. End comment. GOLDBERG