Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ1389
2007-05-21 14:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:  

FEJUVE EL ALTO REACHES OUT TO EMBASSY

Tags:  PGOV PREL ECON BL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0024
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #1389 1411418
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211418Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3618
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6788
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 4125
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 8015
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 5261
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2499
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2631
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4615
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 5129
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9723
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0326
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
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

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