LA PAZ ON IRANIAN NUKES: SEE NO EVIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002686

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2017
TAGS: PARM PGOV PREL KNNP MNUC IAEA UN IR BL
SUBJECT: LA PAZ ON IRANIAN NUKES: SEE NO EVIL

REF: A. LA PAZ 2626

B. LA PAZ 2663

C. LA PAZ 2587

Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca defended
Iran's nuclear program October 3, contrasting Iran's
development of "peaceful" nuclear technology with countries
like France, Russia, Israel, and the United States that use
the technology to make "atomic bombs." He also lumped Iran
in with neighbors Brazil and Argentina, which are developing
nuclear technology. Choquehuanca emphasized Bolivia's
support for Iran's nuclear program was consistent with the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is referred to in a
Bolivian/Iranian joint statement released during Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's September 27 visit to La Paz.
Choquehuanca responded to feminist criticism of Bolivia's
new ties with Iran by explaining Iranian women were "treated
better" than Bolivian women, composed 65 percent of
university students, and held prominent positions in
government. Editorial writers and politicians have
criticized the new relationship, often implying government
ignorance regarding Iran's nuclear intentions, the relations
does not justify the risk to international relations and is a
result of Venezuelan meddling.


2. (C) A prominent opposition Senator told PolOff Oct. 3 that
the opposition-controlled senate would fight the "idea of
relations with Iran" when called upon to approve an eventual
Iranian ambassadorial nominee. When asked if this would be
similar to the senate's refection of a Spanish Ambassadorial
candidate, he noted in that case they found an eventual
compromise candidate, in the case of an Iranian nominee
"there will never be anyone we will agree to." He added the
opposition and even some MAS deputies have not had a
substantive opportunity to register their opposition to
Iranian relations, a decision that parliamentary leaders have
only been able to "react to" so far.


3. (C) Comment: The Bolivian Government appears to be
hardening its stance regarding the Iranian nuclear program.
Within half a year they've gone from denying they would
pursue formal relations with Iran to emphasizing the
commercial aspects of a relationship to embracing Iran's
"right" to nukes. Although it is written into the September
27 joint statement that Bolivia's support of Iran's nuclear
program is "within the framework of the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty," the passage only exposes the
Bolivian Government's weak understanding of the agreement and
international diplomacy in general. The Bolivian/Iranian
statement likewise allows for only "peaceful" nuclear energy,
but Post (and we suspect the UN and IAEA) are less than
convinced. That Choquehuanca would use this public relations
statement (complete below) to link Bolivia's Iran policy with
accordance to international agreements, let alone use it to
criticize the U.S. for having nuclear weapons, plainly shows
a lack of understanding about what "non-proliferation" means.
Bolivia signed the NPT, but Choquehuanca's reliance on his
own interpretations of international treaties casts serious
doubt on whether Bolivia will honor international
obligations, as evidenced by recent behavior at the IAEA (ref
c). It is difficult to understand why the Foreign Minister
went out of his way to unfavorably compare Bolivia's
treatment of women with Iran, though it should serve to
distract editorial writers from his October 1 comments
condoning child labor and the sexuality of rocks (ref b).
End Comment.


4. (U) Compete joint statement released by Bolivia and Iran
September 27, 2007.

Among other commitments, the Iranian and Bolivia governments
reiterated their commitment to promoting political actions
aimed at building a multi-polar world on behalf of
guaranteeing a stronger balance and democratization of
international relations.

Also, they congratulated each other for the changes and
positive trends that can be seen in Latin America with the
rise an consolidation of democratic governments that oppose
neo-liberalism, that promote social politics, as well as the
genuine Latin American integration and cooperation.

They highlighted the right of the countries to develop
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, within the framework of
the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, as a means that can
significantly contribute to (meeting) their peoples' economic
and technological development needs.

Likewise, they agreed to prepare an industrial cooperation
plan for the next five years for an amount of $1 billion
dollars. They are committed to providing (to Bolivia) $100
million to develop the projects singed by the Ministers of
Hydrocarbons, Rural Development, and Production.
GOLDBERG