Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BOGOTA3403
2008-09-12 11:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
GOC BRACES FOR INCREASED U.S.-BOLIVIAN TENSIONS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #3403 2561142 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121142Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4635 INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 8370 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0988 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ SEP 9657 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 6545 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 7229
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 003403
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: ETRD PREL CO BL
SUBJECT: GOC BRACES FOR INCREASED U.S.-BOLIVIAN TENSIONS
REF: MCMULLEN-NICHOLS 9/11 TELCON
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Brian A. Nichols for Reasons 1.4 (b)
& (d)
(C) Charge reviewed current state of U.S.-Bolivian relations
with Minister of Defense Juan Manuel Santos and, separately,
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Camilo Reyes on September
¶11. Charge explained that Bolivian President Evo Morales'
decision to expel the U.S. ambassador, despite our
longstanding efforts to forge a constructive bilateral
relationship would have very serious consequences. In
response, the U.S. would declare the Bolivian Ambassador to
the U.S. Gustavo Guzman persona non grata. The Charge also
noted that some in Congress wished to exclude Bolivia from
renewal of ATPDEA trade preferences. Santos responded that
Morales bore the blame for his actions, and expelling the
Bolivian Ambassador "had to be done." Reyes characterized
Bolivian President Morales' recent actions as foolish and
added that Morales' advisors had served to radicalize him,
and feed his worst populist instincts. Reyes said Morales
had damaged relations with the U.S., Europe, his Andean
neighbors, and the non-indigenous portion of the Bolivian
population.
NICHOLS