Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ1992
2007-07-19 14:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
MARCH FOR PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY, SANTA CRUZ INVITES
how-toVZCZCXRO7282 PP RUEHLMC DE RUEHLP #1992 2001427 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 191427Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4371 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6945 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 4293 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 8182 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 5426 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2656 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2819 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3542 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4735 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 5287 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9894 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0423 RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001992
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: MARCH FOR PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY, SANTA CRUZ INVITES
MORALES TO DIALOGUE
Classified By: Ecopol Chief Andrew Erickson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001992
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: MARCH FOR PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY, SANTA CRUZ INVITES
MORALES TO DIALOGUE
Classified By: Ecopol Chief Andrew Erickson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) Some five thousand people peacefully marched in
Montero, Santa Cruz on July 17th in favor of provincial and
indigenous autonomy within the department of Santa Cruz. A
commission was named to draw up a provincial autonomy
proposal. On the same day, Santa Cruz Civic Committee
President Branko Marinkovic issued a public invitation for
President Morales to come to Santa Cruz and discuss areas of
concern. The Civic Committee invitation follows a similar
invitation issued by the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce
(CAINCO) on July 15. End summary.
2. (U) Some five thousand people peacefully marched in
Montero, Santa Cruz on July 17th in favor of provincial and
indigenous autonomy within the department of Santa Cruz.
Montero is Santa Cruz department's second largest city,
approximately two hundred miles from the city of Santa Cruz.
March leaders say they advocate provincial/indigenous
autonomy in order to better control financial resources sent
by the department. A commission was named to draw up a
provincial autonomy proposal. It is unclear if the
provincial autonomy proposal would be at odds with
departmental autonomy under consideration by the Constituent
Assembly.
3. (C) On the same day, the Santa Cruz Civic Committee, led
by Branko Marinkovic, issued a public invitation for
President Evo Morales to come to Santa Cruz and discuss
mutual topics of concern. The Civic Committee has accused
the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party of organizing
meetings against departmental autonomy in Santa Cruz and
warned this could provoke violence. The Civic Committee
invitation follows a similar invitation by CAINCO on July 15,
requesting President Morales to come and discuss economic
concerns. Presidential Palace spokesperson Alex Conteras
responded on July 18 that the government would take its time
to study the invitation. Civic Committee member German
Castedo told Emboff on July 18 that the committee wants to
show the Bolivian public that Santa Cruz is open to talks and
that he doubts Morales will accept the invitation, adding
"the central government seems to want things to get out of
control in Santa Cruz."
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) Montero (population 70,000) is a center of gravity
for indigenous immigrants from the western highlands. It
would be relatively easy for the MAS to organize marches in
favor of indigenous autonomy as a way of weakening
departmental autonomy. The MAS also risks raising
unrealistic expectations in Montero, which is still waiting
for construction to begin on a new university that President
Morales promised over one year ago. Both CAINCO and the
Santa Cruz Civic Committee have legitimate concerns regarding
the economy and political climate. Their invitations to
discuss areas of concerns with the president puts the onus on
the GOB, which likes to bill itself as "the government of
dialogue." End Comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: MARCH FOR PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY, SANTA CRUZ INVITES
MORALES TO DIALOGUE
Classified By: Ecopol Chief Andrew Erickson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) Some five thousand people peacefully marched in
Montero, Santa Cruz on July 17th in favor of provincial and
indigenous autonomy within the department of Santa Cruz. A
commission was named to draw up a provincial autonomy
proposal. On the same day, Santa Cruz Civic Committee
President Branko Marinkovic issued a public invitation for
President Morales to come to Santa Cruz and discuss areas of
concern. The Civic Committee invitation follows a similar
invitation issued by the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce
(CAINCO) on July 15. End summary.
2. (U) Some five thousand people peacefully marched in
Montero, Santa Cruz on July 17th in favor of provincial and
indigenous autonomy within the department of Santa Cruz.
Montero is Santa Cruz department's second largest city,
approximately two hundred miles from the city of Santa Cruz.
March leaders say they advocate provincial/indigenous
autonomy in order to better control financial resources sent
by the department. A commission was named to draw up a
provincial autonomy proposal. It is unclear if the
provincial autonomy proposal would be at odds with
departmental autonomy under consideration by the Constituent
Assembly.
3. (C) On the same day, the Santa Cruz Civic Committee, led
by Branko Marinkovic, issued a public invitation for
President Evo Morales to come to Santa Cruz and discuss
mutual topics of concern. The Civic Committee has accused
the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party of organizing
meetings against departmental autonomy in Santa Cruz and
warned this could provoke violence. The Civic Committee
invitation follows a similar invitation by CAINCO on July 15,
requesting President Morales to come and discuss economic
concerns. Presidential Palace spokesperson Alex Conteras
responded on July 18 that the government would take its time
to study the invitation. Civic Committee member German
Castedo told Emboff on July 18 that the committee wants to
show the Bolivian public that Santa Cruz is open to talks and
that he doubts Morales will accept the invitation, adding
"the central government seems to want things to get out of
control in Santa Cruz."
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) Montero (population 70,000) is a center of gravity
for indigenous immigrants from the western highlands. It
would be relatively easy for the MAS to organize marches in
favor of indigenous autonomy as a way of weakening
departmental autonomy. The MAS also risks raising
unrealistic expectations in Montero, which is still waiting
for construction to begin on a new university that President
Morales promised over one year ago. Both CAINCO and the
Santa Cruz Civic Committee have legitimate concerns regarding
the economy and political climate. Their invitations to
discuss areas of concerns with the president puts the onus on
the GOB, which likes to bill itself as "the government of
dialogue." End Comment.
GOLDBERG