Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ919
2007-04-05 19:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
REGIONAL DELEGATES- GOVERNMENT COORDINATORS OR
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000919
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: REGIONAL DELEGATES- GOVERNMENT COORDINATORS OR
EVO'S CAMPAIGN MANAGERS?
Classified By: Acting Ecopol Counselor Brian S. Quigley for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000919
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: REGIONAL DELEGATES- GOVERNMENT COORDINATORS OR
EVO'S CAMPAIGN MANAGERS?
Classified By: Acting Ecopol Counselor Brian S. Quigley for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: On April 2, President Morales appointed eight
regional delegates to coordinate GOB activities in their
respective departments. According to Morales, the role of
the delegates is to act as an intermediary between the
national government and regional prefects, mayors, and social
sectors in order to "accelerate the process of change" in
Bolivia. The opposition argues that the delegates are a
political tool to jumpstart Morales' presidential campaign
and undermine the authority of popularly elected departmental
prefects. (Note: Six out of the nine prefects are from
opposition parties. End note). Installing MAS regional
delegates as "quasi-prefects" falls in line with Morales'
moves to centralize power. End summary.
--------------
Morales Names Regional Delegates
--------------
2. (U) On April 2, President Morales installed regional
delegates in eight out of the nine departments, with the
exception of La Paz Department. The MAS-aligned delegates'
stated mission is to coordinate the work and activities of
the national government with the prefects, mayors, and social
sectors in their respective departments. President Morales
stated that the delegates will "accelerate the process of
change" taking place in Bolivia.
--------------
Opposition Voices Concern
--------------
3. (C) The opposition argues that the delegates are a
political tool to jumpstart Morales' presidential campaign.
Morales opponent and Senate President, Jose Villavicencio,
claimed in a press interview that the true role of the
delegates are as campaign managers for Morales' candidacy in
the proposed 2008 elections. Besides placing Morales
supporters in public posts throughout the country, the
opposition believes that the delegates symbolize an effort by
the GOB to centralize power. By installing delegates that
answer to La Paz in each of the other departments, the GOB
appears to be exerting increased control over regional
governments. Guillermo Ribera Cuellar, General Advisor to
Santa Cruz prefect Ruben Costas, echoed the opposition's
sentiment that the delegates are nothing more than Evo's
campaign managers sent to erode elected prefects' powers.
Ribera Cuellar told Emboff, "The prefecture will treat the
delegate as any other national official. We will not
tolerate interference, but will coordinate with the delegate."
4. (C) Comment: On the surface, the installation of regional
delegates appears to be another layer of bureaucracy, but we
believe the opposition's concerns are credible. As
two-thirds of the prefects are Morales opponents, the GOB has
slowly tried to erode their power by giving mayors increased
fiscal authority. Installing MAS regional delegates as
"shadow prefects" falls in line with Morales' moves to
centralize power. End comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: REGIONAL DELEGATES- GOVERNMENT COORDINATORS OR
EVO'S CAMPAIGN MANAGERS?
Classified By: Acting Ecopol Counselor Brian S. Quigley for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: On April 2, President Morales appointed eight
regional delegates to coordinate GOB activities in their
respective departments. According to Morales, the role of
the delegates is to act as an intermediary between the
national government and regional prefects, mayors, and social
sectors in order to "accelerate the process of change" in
Bolivia. The opposition argues that the delegates are a
political tool to jumpstart Morales' presidential campaign
and undermine the authority of popularly elected departmental
prefects. (Note: Six out of the nine prefects are from
opposition parties. End note). Installing MAS regional
delegates as "quasi-prefects" falls in line with Morales'
moves to centralize power. End summary.
--------------
Morales Names Regional Delegates
--------------
2. (U) On April 2, President Morales installed regional
delegates in eight out of the nine departments, with the
exception of La Paz Department. The MAS-aligned delegates'
stated mission is to coordinate the work and activities of
the national government with the prefects, mayors, and social
sectors in their respective departments. President Morales
stated that the delegates will "accelerate the process of
change" taking place in Bolivia.
--------------
Opposition Voices Concern
--------------
3. (C) The opposition argues that the delegates are a
political tool to jumpstart Morales' presidential campaign.
Morales opponent and Senate President, Jose Villavicencio,
claimed in a press interview that the true role of the
delegates are as campaign managers for Morales' candidacy in
the proposed 2008 elections. Besides placing Morales
supporters in public posts throughout the country, the
opposition believes that the delegates symbolize an effort by
the GOB to centralize power. By installing delegates that
answer to La Paz in each of the other departments, the GOB
appears to be exerting increased control over regional
governments. Guillermo Ribera Cuellar, General Advisor to
Santa Cruz prefect Ruben Costas, echoed the opposition's
sentiment that the delegates are nothing more than Evo's
campaign managers sent to erode elected prefects' powers.
Ribera Cuellar told Emboff, "The prefecture will treat the
delegate as any other national official. We will not
tolerate interference, but will coordinate with the delegate."
4. (C) Comment: On the surface, the installation of regional
delegates appears to be another layer of bureaucracy, but we
believe the opposition's concerns are credible. As
two-thirds of the prefects are Morales opponents, the GOB has
slowly tried to erode their power by giving mayors increased
fiscal authority. Installing MAS regional delegates as
"shadow prefects" falls in line with Morales' moves to
centralize power. End comment.
GOLDBERG