Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ55
2007-01-09 21:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000055
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
CHOQUEHUANCA ON NEW VISA SYSTEM
Classified By: Amb. Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000055
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
CHOQUEHUANCA ON NEW VISA SYSTEM
Classified By: Amb. Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
1. (C) Foreign Minister Choquehuanca met the Ambassador
January 8 to discuss the GOB's January 1 decree to require
visas of U.S. citizen tourists. The Ambassador lamented the
political nature of the decision. Choquehuanca defended the
move on the grounds of national dignity, arguing that Bolivia
"has been a humiliated country." Choquehuanca expressed his
desire to "make things work" to avoid hurting tourism. In a
subsequent press conference, he stated that the GOB was
conferring with the Embassy. End summary.
MEETING WITH FM CHOQUEHUANCA
2. (C) Foreign Minister Choquehuanca summoned the
Ambassador January 8 to discuss the visa issue. VFM Mauricio
Dorfler also attended. Choquehuanca started by saying he
realized that he should have had informal conversations with
the Embassy before the visa policy was announced. He said
the GOB had taken note of the tourism industry's concerns.
The Ambassador lamented the political nature of the decision.
Choquehuanca replied that, "we are a small country, but we
believe we have the same rights. We are a country in a
process of recovering our dignity. The Aymara people also
have to recoup their dignity. We have been a humiliated
country." He added, "we want a relationship of mutual
respect, one of equals." The Ambassador replied that when
President Morales refers to the tourism industry as an agent
of the CIA and the imperialists, this does not help Bolivia
recover its dignity.
3. (C) Choquehuanca showed the Ambassador a draft proposal
for obtaining a Bolivian visa, which had stricter
requirements than those in the U.S. visa application process.
The Ambassador said that with the proposed requirements,
American tourism would fall to practically zero.
Choquehuanca replied that political decisions are taken at
the presidential palace, and the foreign ministry must "make
things work." "We cannot go back because the presidential
decree was announced, we need to develop the process." Both
Choquehuanca and VFM Dorfler took notes and appeared to
consider the Ambassador's advice about the mechanics of the
visa process. In a press conference afterwards, Choquehuanca
stated that the GOB was consulting with the Embassy and still
working out the details of the visa scheme.
COMMENT
4. (C) Choquehuanca sought to demonstrate that the foreign
ministry is indeed working with the Embassy on the visa
issue. He admitted that there is strong opposition from the
tourism industry and noted that not everyone in the GOB
agreed with the measure. It is clear that the GOB is
struggling to implement the new requirement. During a
January 9 luncheon at the Residence, VFM Dorfler told the
Ambassador that the GOB is considering granting visas at land
borders but requiring U.S. citizens flying to Bolivia to
apply at one of Bolivia's fourteen consulates in the U.S. As
in the meeting with Vice President Garcia Linera, FM
Choquehuanca did not defend the visa decision on security
grounds and acknowledged its political costs both in Bolivia
and in relations with the U.S. End Comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
CHOQUEHUANCA ON NEW VISA SYSTEM
Classified By: Amb. Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
1. (C) Foreign Minister Choquehuanca met the Ambassador
January 8 to discuss the GOB's January 1 decree to require
visas of U.S. citizen tourists. The Ambassador lamented the
political nature of the decision. Choquehuanca defended the
move on the grounds of national dignity, arguing that Bolivia
"has been a humiliated country." Choquehuanca expressed his
desire to "make things work" to avoid hurting tourism. In a
subsequent press conference, he stated that the GOB was
conferring with the Embassy. End summary.
MEETING WITH FM CHOQUEHUANCA
2. (C) Foreign Minister Choquehuanca summoned the
Ambassador January 8 to discuss the visa issue. VFM Mauricio
Dorfler also attended. Choquehuanca started by saying he
realized that he should have had informal conversations with
the Embassy before the visa policy was announced. He said
the GOB had taken note of the tourism industry's concerns.
The Ambassador lamented the political nature of the decision.
Choquehuanca replied that, "we are a small country, but we
believe we have the same rights. We are a country in a
process of recovering our dignity. The Aymara people also
have to recoup their dignity. We have been a humiliated
country." He added, "we want a relationship of mutual
respect, one of equals." The Ambassador replied that when
President Morales refers to the tourism industry as an agent
of the CIA and the imperialists, this does not help Bolivia
recover its dignity.
3. (C) Choquehuanca showed the Ambassador a draft proposal
for obtaining a Bolivian visa, which had stricter
requirements than those in the U.S. visa application process.
The Ambassador said that with the proposed requirements,
American tourism would fall to practically zero.
Choquehuanca replied that political decisions are taken at
the presidential palace, and the foreign ministry must "make
things work." "We cannot go back because the presidential
decree was announced, we need to develop the process." Both
Choquehuanca and VFM Dorfler took notes and appeared to
consider the Ambassador's advice about the mechanics of the
visa process. In a press conference afterwards, Choquehuanca
stated that the GOB was consulting with the Embassy and still
working out the details of the visa scheme.
COMMENT
4. (C) Choquehuanca sought to demonstrate that the foreign
ministry is indeed working with the Embassy on the visa
issue. He admitted that there is strong opposition from the
tourism industry and noted that not everyone in the GOB
agreed with the measure. It is clear that the GOB is
struggling to implement the new requirement. During a
January 9 luncheon at the Residence, VFM Dorfler told the
Ambassador that the GOB is considering granting visas at land
borders but requiring U.S. citizens flying to Bolivia to
apply at one of Bolivia's fourteen consulates in the U.S. As
in the meeting with Vice President Garcia Linera, FM
Choquehuanca did not defend the visa decision on security
grounds and acknowledged its political costs both in Bolivia
and in relations with the U.S. End Comment.
GOLDBERG