MORE ATTACKS ON USAID, CHARGES OF PAYING THE PRESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 002416 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL SUBJECT: MORE ATTACKS ON USAID, CHARGES OF PAYING THE PRESS REF: A. LA PAZ 2407 ¶B. LA PAZ 2387 - - - - Summary - - - - ¶1. (SBU) Government Minister Juan Ramon Quintana continued his barrage of false accusations against USAID on September 2, once again charging USAID with funding groups to destabilize Bolivia. Quintana also accused the USG of paying journalists to write articles that foment conflict. While Quintana continued to slam U.S. assistance, he argued that the Morales government is not prepared (yet) to shut off the funding spigot, asserting Bolivia still needs international aid for five to ten more years. Quintana has essentially launched a witch hunt against officials from former conservative governments who work on USAID projects. This witch hunt, however, may backfire on him as he worked in the Banzer administration and also attended a U.S.-financed course at the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies. End Summary. - - - - - - - - - - - Piling on the Charges - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) During a September 2 interview with the government-run radio station, Government Minister Juan Ramon Quintana continued his attacks from the previous week against USAID (refs A and B). Quintana charged that "Gonistas" (supporters of former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada) and "neo-liberals" are manipulating U.S. assistance. He re-asserted that U.S. assistance is channeled to people and groups that wish to destabilize the Bolivian government and argued that the government will identify those who form "part of the structure of destabilization." ¶3. (SBU) Quintana used the same interview to level new charges at the USG. The government minister argued that USAID pays journalists to write articles and op-ed pieces that seek to subvert Bolivian government. "Via these programs, journalists are paid, columnists are paid, and consultants are paid to create scenarios precisely to promote conflict." He also falsely accused USAID of creating parallel social organizations and unions. (Comment: In fact, we believe, the Morales administration has been financing parallel labor and social organizations, when the existing leadership refuses to follow the MAS party line. End Comment). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We Hate U.S. AID, But Please Give Us More - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. (SBU) Quintana issued his comments only one day before Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera's trip to the United States. Prior to his departure Garcia Linera stated that he would "inform" Congress on how U.S. assistance is really used and to visit the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to plead for additional assistance. (Note: The MCC visit has since been canceled, supposedly because the Bolivian government's proposal has not yet been translated into English. In fact, MCC Team lead Graciela Toro told the DCM on September 4 that proposal is completed and has already been translated into English. She said the vice president canceled his appointment due to other considerations, of which she had no knowledge. End Note). Perhaps recognizing the incoherence of the government's discourse on U.S. assistance, Quintana in his radio interview argued that the Bolivian government is still open to U.S. assistance and does not seek a fight with the United States. He stated, "We will need assistance for five or ten more years . . . in the meantime, we are going to continue receiving assistance; it is not our intention to fight with the government of the United States, just to exercise our right to sovereignty." - - - - LA PAZ 00002416 002 OF 002 Comment - - - - ¶5. (SBU) Quintana has condemned USAID for contracting officials from former conservative governments and labeled it proof of a U.S. conspiracy against the Morales administration. He has threatened to identify more former government officials who receive USAID's dollars. However, Quintana's witch hunt may backfire on him. Senior Morales administration officials, including Quintana, are finding themselves having to defend their past affiliations with previous governments, the USG and U.S.-affiliated organizations. An opposition Congressional deputy claims Quintana used to work for the Soros Foundation. The accusation of even indirectly working for George Soros (viewed as the ultimate neo-liberal) led Quintana to respond that he would resign should the deputy present proof. While it is doubtful that Quintana will resign, revealing his double standard will prove interesting. End Comment. GOLDBERG