AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW EDUCATION MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000386

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: ASCH PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW EDUCATION MINISTER

REF: LA PAZ 1711 (2006)

Classified By: Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) On February 8, the Ambassador made his first call
on new Education Minister Victor Caceres. Unlike meetings
with former Minister Patzi, the meeting with Caceres was
friendly, with the new minister stating that he would
maintain an "open door" and expressing his desire for a
regular dialogue with the Ambassador. The Ambassador
introduced the minister to a wide range of USG assistance
programs, focusing on education, but also explained U.S.
aid in the areas of social inclusion, economic development,
and access to justice. Caceres expressed his appreciation
with regard to U.S. efforts to help Bolivia's
disadvantaged. The Ambassador raised the GOB's education
reform bill, and expressed concern about the impact the
proposed law could have on American schools in Bolivia.
Caceres explained that the GOB's legislation will take
into account the needs of Bolivia's private schools, and
that the Ambassador needn't worry. While the details on
changes to the GOB's education reform bill are still
undefined, we are heartened by the new minister's
apparent sincerity and sensitivity to our concerns.
End Summary.

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Atmospherics
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2. (C) On February 8, the Ambassador (accompanied by
the Embassy's management counselor) made his first call
on new Education Minister Victor Caceres. Unlike previous
meetings with former Education Minister Patzi, Caceres was
friendly, stating the ministry would maintain an "open
door," and expressing his desire for a regular dialog with
the Ambassador.

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USG Assistance
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3. (C) The Ambassador introduced the minister to a wide
range of USG assistance programs, focusing on education,
but also explained our aid in the areas of social
inclusion, economic development, and access to justice.
The Ambassador described the USG's support for education
projects, emphasizing the Fulbright and other exchange
programs. He then explained our efforts to expand
outreach to Bolivia's indigenous peoples, noted our
indigenous scholarships for studying English in Bolivia,
and highlighted Embassy book donations to rural
communities. The Ambassador informed the minister about
USAID's programs to promote social inclusion, economic
development, and access to justice. Caceres expressed
his appreciation with regard to U.S. efforts to help
Bolivia's disadvantaged.

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Education Reform
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4. (C) The Ambassador then referred to prior discussions
with the ministry and Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera
on the GOB's education reform bill, and expressed concern
about the impact the proposed law could have on American
schools in Bolivia. The Ambassador explained that
American schools abroad must meet U.S. accreditation
standards, and that a lack of accredited schools could
result in the mission having difficulty attracting new
officers. The Ambassador reiterated that American
schools would try to change to meet the spirit of the law
(i.e., instruction of indigenous languages) as long as it
did not impact their accreditation. He noted that
foreign schools with significant numbers of local
students produce graduates who study abroad, but later
often return to Bolivia to live and work.


5. (C) Minister Caceres responded that he intends to
consult with urban teachers, the Catholic Church, and
private schools prior to the bill's passage. He
explained that he had already met with the Church and
private school representatives, including someone from
the American Cooperative School (ACS). The minister
explained that the GOB will respect existing "covenios"
(agreements) with the private schools. In the case of
ACS, which has no formal agreement with the GOB, the
Minister stated that the GOB would respect its status
as well. He continued by stating that he hoped that
private schools would be receptive to introducing more
"interculturialidad" (diversity) in their curricula.
Caceres explained that the GOB's legislation will
take into account the needs of Bolivia's private
schools, and that the Ambassador needn't worry.

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Comment
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6. (C) Minister Caceres appears to be a less
ideologically rigid interlocutor than his predecessor.
While the details on changes to the GOB's education
reform bill are still undefined, we are heartened by the
new minister's apparent sincerity and sensitivity to our
concerns. End Comment.
GOLDBERG