Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LAPAZ1137
2008-05-15 21:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
BOLIVIA: SANTA CRUZ BEGINS IMPLEMENTING AUTONOMY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 001137
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2018
TAGS: ASEC BL PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: SANTA CRUZ BEGINS IMPLEMENTING AUTONOMY
REF: LA PAZ 1129
Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 001137
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2018
TAGS: ASEC BL PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: SANTA CRUZ BEGINS IMPLEMENTING AUTONOMY
REF: LA PAZ 1129
Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) The departmental government of Santa Cruz, eager to
show its population the benefits of autonomy and to regain
the national spotlight from the recall referendum (reftel),
will be begin implementing its autonomy on May 15. While
largely symbolic (names changes),there are two concrete
measures that will be popular: the inclusion of five
representatives from indigenous communities in the state
assembly and raising the monthly minimum wage from $77usd to
approximately $140usd. End summary.
--------------
CALL ME GOVERNOR
--------------
2. (U) The Santa Cruz departmental council is set to pass a
series of measures to begin implementing autonomy on May 15.
The first are name changes. The prefect will now be called
governor, the secretary general will now be the
vice-governor, the department council will be the legislative
assembly, and Santa Cruz will be known as the Autonomous
Department of Santa Cruz. The departmental government also
announced the creation of the International Commerce and
Exports Council whose function will be to promote Santa Cruz
exports.
--------------
TWO CONCRETE MEASURES
--------------
3. (C) While the first few measures are largely symbolic
name changes, there are two that are designed to have an
impact on the Santa Cruz population. Under the autonomy
statutes, the legislative assembly will add five
representatives from indigenous communities residing in Santa
Cruz. Another measure raises the minimum monthly wage in
Santa Cruz from the national governments 550 bolivianos ($77
USD) to 1000 bolivianos ($140 USD). Departmental and Santa
Cruz Civic Committee sources tell the Embassy this measure
will prove popular among workers and is designed to show an
immediate improvement in people's lives thanks to autonomy.
(Note: A domestic employee from El Alto, upon hearing the
salary news, remarked that there would be an rush of people
heading to Santa Cruz looking for work. End note.)
--------------
DO NOT CROSS THE LINE, BUT GET YOUR ATTENTION
--------------
4. (C) There is increasing pressure on the Santa Cruz
government to authorize soy bean and cooking oil exports,
which have been banned by the national government, and to
withhold hydrocarbons taxes sent to La Paz. Embassy sources
tell us the governor will not do either because they cross
legal lines. The Santa Cruz government will proceed
cautiously with implementing autonomy, staying within the
bounds of the national constitution. Santa Cruz Civic
Committee Advisor Manuel Suarez told Emboff that the measures
approved on May 15 were meant to show citizens the benefits
of autonomy and to regain the national spotlight from the
LA PAZ 00001137 002 OF 002
recall referendum (reftel).
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) It would appear that Santa Cruz is regaining the
spotlight. The new measures are receiving headline coverage
in the Bolivian media. The name changes will certainly
irritate the national government and the minimum wage
increase puts Evo's team on the defensive. Increased
indigenous representation also takes a swipe at one of
Morales' main pillars. Additionally, the measures are
designed to reinforce the YES campaigns in the states of Beni
and Pando, who will hold autonomy votes on June 1. End
comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2018
TAGS: ASEC BL PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: SANTA CRUZ BEGINS IMPLEMENTING AUTONOMY
REF: LA PAZ 1129
Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) The departmental government of Santa Cruz, eager to
show its population the benefits of autonomy and to regain
the national spotlight from the recall referendum (reftel),
will be begin implementing its autonomy on May 15. While
largely symbolic (names changes),there are two concrete
measures that will be popular: the inclusion of five
representatives from indigenous communities in the state
assembly and raising the monthly minimum wage from $77usd to
approximately $140usd. End summary.
--------------
CALL ME GOVERNOR
--------------
2. (U) The Santa Cruz departmental council is set to pass a
series of measures to begin implementing autonomy on May 15.
The first are name changes. The prefect will now be called
governor, the secretary general will now be the
vice-governor, the department council will be the legislative
assembly, and Santa Cruz will be known as the Autonomous
Department of Santa Cruz. The departmental government also
announced the creation of the International Commerce and
Exports Council whose function will be to promote Santa Cruz
exports.
--------------
TWO CONCRETE MEASURES
--------------
3. (C) While the first few measures are largely symbolic
name changes, there are two that are designed to have an
impact on the Santa Cruz population. Under the autonomy
statutes, the legislative assembly will add five
representatives from indigenous communities residing in Santa
Cruz. Another measure raises the minimum monthly wage in
Santa Cruz from the national governments 550 bolivianos ($77
USD) to 1000 bolivianos ($140 USD). Departmental and Santa
Cruz Civic Committee sources tell the Embassy this measure
will prove popular among workers and is designed to show an
immediate improvement in people's lives thanks to autonomy.
(Note: A domestic employee from El Alto, upon hearing the
salary news, remarked that there would be an rush of people
heading to Santa Cruz looking for work. End note.)
--------------
DO NOT CROSS THE LINE, BUT GET YOUR ATTENTION
--------------
4. (C) There is increasing pressure on the Santa Cruz
government to authorize soy bean and cooking oil exports,
which have been banned by the national government, and to
withhold hydrocarbons taxes sent to La Paz. Embassy sources
tell us the governor will not do either because they cross
legal lines. The Santa Cruz government will proceed
cautiously with implementing autonomy, staying within the
bounds of the national constitution. Santa Cruz Civic
Committee Advisor Manuel Suarez told Emboff that the measures
approved on May 15 were meant to show citizens the benefits
of autonomy and to regain the national spotlight from the
LA PAZ 00001137 002 OF 002
recall referendum (reftel).
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) It would appear that Santa Cruz is regaining the
spotlight. The new measures are receiving headline coverage
in the Bolivian media. The name changes will certainly
irritate the national government and the minimum wage
increase puts Evo's team on the defensive. Increased
indigenous representation also takes a swipe at one of
Morales' main pillars. Additionally, the measures are
designed to reinforce the YES campaigns in the states of Beni
and Pando, who will hold autonomy votes on June 1. End
comment.
GOLDBERG