Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ2663
2007-10-03 13:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
FM CHOQUEHUANCA: SEX, ROCKS, AND CHILD LABOR
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002663
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL ELAB PINR
SUBJECT: FM CHOQUEHUANCA: SEX, ROCKS, AND CHILD LABOR
Classified By: EcoPol chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002663
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL ELAB PINR
SUBJECT: FM CHOQUEHUANCA: SEX, ROCKS, AND CHILD LABOR
Classified By: EcoPol chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) In an interview with the Spanish press agency EFE on
October 1, Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca made
several curious comments on a variety of subjects from the
imperialist tendencies of the West, to the sexual activity
of rocks. Though the interview offered several critiques of
the West,, claiming for instance that the Industrial
Revolution was &subsidized8 by Bolivian raw materials and
that foreign investment in Bolivia has raised the number of
poor in the country, the interview was not all negative.
Minister Choquehuanca confidently assured the EFE that
President Morales is not only the greatest hope for
Bolivians, but is also a savior for the world. Minister
Choquehuanca also used the interview as an opportunity to
expound on the virtues of child labor, stating that such a
practice was essential and should be viewed as &joyful, not
exploitative.8
2. (U) Perhaps most newsworthy was the Minister's
pontification on the subject of stones and sex. When
speaking on his personal rejection of capitalism, he reminded
the interviewer that neither man nor capital is the center of
the universe. Instead, Minister Choquehuanca explained,
&first there are the stars, the plants, the animals, the
stones. Even the rocks have sex for us. Until the end of time
- there are grandfather rocks and children rocks.8
3. (C) COMMENT: Minister Choquehuanca has in the past
boasted that he has stopped reading books and instead "read
the wrinkles" of Aymara elders ) it seems clear from this
interview that his last book was not a science text. Though
several of his comments may come off as absurd, it should be
noted that Minister Choquehuanca is one of the few true
indigenous members of President Morales, cabinet and that
such comments may be best understood in the context of his
Aymara upbringing. Even so, it remains unclear just how much
actual influence Minister Choquehuanca and his observations
hold at present in the cabinet. End Comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL ELAB PINR
SUBJECT: FM CHOQUEHUANCA: SEX, ROCKS, AND CHILD LABOR
Classified By: EcoPol chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) In an interview with the Spanish press agency EFE on
October 1, Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca made
several curious comments on a variety of subjects from the
imperialist tendencies of the West, to the sexual activity
of rocks. Though the interview offered several critiques of
the West,, claiming for instance that the Industrial
Revolution was &subsidized8 by Bolivian raw materials and
that foreign investment in Bolivia has raised the number of
poor in the country, the interview was not all negative.
Minister Choquehuanca confidently assured the EFE that
President Morales is not only the greatest hope for
Bolivians, but is also a savior for the world. Minister
Choquehuanca also used the interview as an opportunity to
expound on the virtues of child labor, stating that such a
practice was essential and should be viewed as &joyful, not
exploitative.8
2. (U) Perhaps most newsworthy was the Minister's
pontification on the subject of stones and sex. When
speaking on his personal rejection of capitalism, he reminded
the interviewer that neither man nor capital is the center of
the universe. Instead, Minister Choquehuanca explained,
&first there are the stars, the plants, the animals, the
stones. Even the rocks have sex for us. Until the end of time
- there are grandfather rocks and children rocks.8
3. (C) COMMENT: Minister Choquehuanca has in the past
boasted that he has stopped reading books and instead "read
the wrinkles" of Aymara elders ) it seems clear from this
interview that his last book was not a science text. Though
several of his comments may come off as absurd, it should be
noted that Minister Choquehuanca is one of the few true
indigenous members of President Morales, cabinet and that
such comments may be best understood in the context of his
Aymara upbringing. Even so, it remains unclear just how much
actual influence Minister Choquehuanca and his observations
hold at present in the cabinet. End Comment.
GOLDBERG