Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ169
2007-01-23 21:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
MORALES' ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY RALLY
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UNCLAS LA PAZ 000169
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: MORALES' ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY RALLY
REF: LA PAZ 168
UNCLAS LA PAZ 000169
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: MORALES' ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY RALLY
REF: LA PAZ 168
1. (U) On January 22, the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS)
threw President Evo Morales a one year anniversary party in
La Paz's Plaza de los Heroes. The event started late due to
Morales' four and one-half hour address to Congress (Reftel).
Surprisingly, only about 4000 MAS party loyalists attended
the rally. Its theme, "Bolivia: Democratic and Cultural
Revolution," was plastered throughout the plaza, along with
hundreds of Venezuelan flags and posters of Morales' major
accomplishments. Before Morales took center stage, his
supporters were feted with bags of coca leaves, folk music,
and speeches by campesino leader Gerardo Garcia, Senate
President Santos Ramirez, and Foreign Minister David
Choquehuanca. Choquehuanca summoned the spirits of Inca
leader Atahuallpa and indigenous freedom fighters Tupac Amaru
and Tupak Katari, and argued the Morales regime had ended the
500 year-long "looting" of Bolivia's natural resources.
Santos Ramirez stated that Morales had begun Bolivia's
revolution for "dignity, sovereignty, and social justice,"
arguing that "the people" should defend the GOB's process of
change wherever it is threatened, even in the streets.
2. (U) Perhaps winded after his congressional speech
marathon, Morales spoke at the rally was just a half an hour.
The speech, interrupted by frequent fireworks, reflected on
the GOB's achievements, including the recapturing of
Bolivia's natural resources (nationalization of
hydrocarbons),the constituent assembly, land reform, the
continued support of the international community, and the
GOB's sound economic policies. Morales noted that many
analysts had predicted his administration would only last
three to six months; that inflation and foreign debt would
balloon under his tenure; and that economic growth, foreign
assistance and the central bank's reserves would dwindle.
Instead, he said, the Inter-American Development Bank had
agreed to write off Bolivia's debt, inflation remained low,
and economic growth and international reserves were at near
all-time highs. Morales took the opportunity to thank the
diplomatic corps and international institutions in
attendance, but singled out only Cuba, Venezuela, and China
by name. Morales also announced the formation of a national
coordinating committee with representatives from unions, the
executive, and the legislative branches to discuss Bolivia's
transformation.
3. (SBU) Comment: The relatively low turn-out for this rally
appears to be consistent with Morales' decline in popularity.
However, with a 59 percent popularity rating (according to a
December poll) and a laundry list of accomplishments, Morales
continues to enjoy the support of the majority of the
Bolivian population, and particularly those who have been
historically disenfranchised. End comment.
URS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: MORALES' ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY RALLY
REF: LA PAZ 168
1. (U) On January 22, the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS)
threw President Evo Morales a one year anniversary party in
La Paz's Plaza de los Heroes. The event started late due to
Morales' four and one-half hour address to Congress (Reftel).
Surprisingly, only about 4000 MAS party loyalists attended
the rally. Its theme, "Bolivia: Democratic and Cultural
Revolution," was plastered throughout the plaza, along with
hundreds of Venezuelan flags and posters of Morales' major
accomplishments. Before Morales took center stage, his
supporters were feted with bags of coca leaves, folk music,
and speeches by campesino leader Gerardo Garcia, Senate
President Santos Ramirez, and Foreign Minister David
Choquehuanca. Choquehuanca summoned the spirits of Inca
leader Atahuallpa and indigenous freedom fighters Tupac Amaru
and Tupak Katari, and argued the Morales regime had ended the
500 year-long "looting" of Bolivia's natural resources.
Santos Ramirez stated that Morales had begun Bolivia's
revolution for "dignity, sovereignty, and social justice,"
arguing that "the people" should defend the GOB's process of
change wherever it is threatened, even in the streets.
2. (U) Perhaps winded after his congressional speech
marathon, Morales spoke at the rally was just a half an hour.
The speech, interrupted by frequent fireworks, reflected on
the GOB's achievements, including the recapturing of
Bolivia's natural resources (nationalization of
hydrocarbons),the constituent assembly, land reform, the
continued support of the international community, and the
GOB's sound economic policies. Morales noted that many
analysts had predicted his administration would only last
three to six months; that inflation and foreign debt would
balloon under his tenure; and that economic growth, foreign
assistance and the central bank's reserves would dwindle.
Instead, he said, the Inter-American Development Bank had
agreed to write off Bolivia's debt, inflation remained low,
and economic growth and international reserves were at near
all-time highs. Morales took the opportunity to thank the
diplomatic corps and international institutions in
attendance, but singled out only Cuba, Venezuela, and China
by name. Morales also announced the formation of a national
coordinating committee with representatives from unions, the
executive, and the legislative branches to discuss Bolivia's
transformation.
3. (SBU) Comment: The relatively low turn-out for this rally
appears to be consistent with Morales' decline in popularity.
However, with a 59 percent popularity rating (according to a
December poll) and a laundry list of accomplishments, Morales
continues to enjoy the support of the majority of the
Bolivian population, and particularly those who have been
historically disenfranchised. End comment.
URS