SUCRE SLIPPING TOWARD THE EDGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002406 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2017 TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL SUBJECT: SUCRE SLIPPING TOWARD THE EDGE Classified By: Acting DCM Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) The city of Sucre is inching closer to a potential confrontation as both the government and opposition have asked their partisans to take to the streets. Saying he does not want to be responsible for any confrontation and placing the blame squarely on President Evo Morales, Governor David Sanchez (MAS) unexpectedly resigned on August 30 . Minister of Government Alredo Rada has denied press reports of Venezuelan aircraft loaded with arms landing at the Sucre airport and of Bolivian armed forces being moved into Chuquisaca. Embassy sources mention September 10 as a possible date when the MAS will try to ram through its new constitution. End summary. -------------- MAS GOVERNOR RESIGNS -------------- ¶2. (C) Less than a week after a MAS constituent assemblyman resigned from his position, another MAS moderate has quit. Chuquisaca Prefect (governor) David Sanchez unexpectedly resigned, saying he does not want to be responsible for any confrontation and placing the blame squarely on President Evo Morales. Sources tell us Sanchez decided to quit after he traveled to La Paz on August 29 and the president refused to meet with him. Sanchez, an evangelical Christian, was not considered a hard-core MAS member. -------------- GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION SHOWDOWN? -------------- ¶3. (C) Protests continue in Sucre and the Constituent Assembly remains temporarily suspended until the week of September 3 when a review of whether to put the capital city debate back on the agenda is due to take place. Minister of Government Alfredo Rada called a press conference on August 31 to deny news reports of Venezuelan aircraft loaded with arms landing at the Sucre airport and of Bolivian armed forces being moved into Chuquisaca. Meanwhile various campesino and cocalero groups are making their way to Sucre. Vice President Garcia Linera has publicly said that government supporters should outnumber the opposition by "10 to 1". In addition, Embassy sources mention September 10 as a possible date when the MAS will try to ram through its version of a new constitution. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (C) Sanchez' resignation has again focused attention on Bolivia's domestic problems. Unless the government or opposition backs off, Sucre appears to be headed toward a potentially violent confrontation. End Comment. URS