BOLIVIA AND EITI: LITTLE PROGRESS

UNCLAS LA PAZ 002103 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/AND STATE FOR EEB/ESC/IEC MAUEL AND HAENDLER STATE FOR EEB/ESC/IEC/ENR HAYMOND TREASURY FOR SGOOCH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EMIN ENRG EINV EPET BL SUBJECT: BOLIVIA AND EITI: LITTLE PROGRESS REF: A. LA PAZ 1666 ¶B. SECSTATE 75118 ¶1. (SBU) British DCM Steve Townsend informed Emboff on July 31 that the GOB has finally responded to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) letter, which had been delivered on June 12th. The GOB requested more information on the EITI, which Townsend provided. EITI has clearly not been on the agenda for President Morales' government, and whereas Townsend described them as being generally in favor of membership, he doubts whether they can meet any of the requirements by the deadline set by the EITI. Townsend suggests that the most that can be expected is that Bolivia submit a letter stating their continued interest in membership by the September 2007 deadline. Townsend described his plans to work with the recently-opened Norwegian consulate in La Paz to encourage Bolivia's participation in EITI. Townsend continues to advise that any perceived U.S. involvement with EITI would be likely to discourage Bolivian participation. GOLDBERG