Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ551
2007-02-28 17:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
VENEZUELAN MILITARY INTERFERES WITH BOLIVIAN PRESS
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UNCLAS LA PAZ 000551
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS MASS BL VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN MILITARY INTERFERES WITH BOLIVIAN PRESS
UNCLAS LA PAZ 000551
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS MASS BL VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN MILITARY INTERFERES WITH BOLIVIAN PRESS
1. (U) At approximately noon February 27, a Venezuelan
Hercules that was reported to be carrying disaster assistance
arrived in El Alto. When Bolivian journalists attempted to
film the Venezuelan crew unloading the cargo, the Venezuelans
prohibited them from filming the plane (citing the
protections of a "convention" with the GOB),asked for the
journalists' film, and briefly detained the journalists on
site. The journalists protested and said publicly that they
did not deserve to be mistreated by the Venezuelans. They
further commented that if the Venezuelans were bringing
disaster assistance to Bolivia, they should not have had
anything to hide. The footage appeared on the February 27
evening news.
2. (U) A high level Bolivian AIR FORCE official apologized to
the journalists later in the day, stating that the Bolivian
air FORCE supports and coordinates with the press. He said
in this case "we let down our guard," calling the event a
"misunderstanding."
URS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS MASS BL VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN MILITARY INTERFERES WITH BOLIVIAN PRESS
1. (U) At approximately noon February 27, a Venezuelan
Hercules that was reported to be carrying disaster assistance
arrived in El Alto. When Bolivian journalists attempted to
film the Venezuelan crew unloading the cargo, the Venezuelans
prohibited them from filming the plane (citing the
protections of a "convention" with the GOB),asked for the
journalists' film, and briefly detained the journalists on
site. The journalists protested and said publicly that they
did not deserve to be mistreated by the Venezuelans. They
further commented that if the Venezuelans were bringing
disaster assistance to Bolivia, they should not have had
anything to hide. The footage appeared on the February 27
evening news.
2. (U) A high level Bolivian AIR FORCE official apologized to
the journalists later in the day, stating that the Bolivian
air FORCE supports and coordinates with the press. He said
in this case "we let down our guard," calling the event a
"misunderstanding."
URS