BOLIVIAN-CUBAN RELATIONS: LIBERTAD ACT

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001179

SIPDIS

WHA/CCA; WHA/AND FOR SHELBY SMITH-WILSON, MOISES BEHAR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL BL ECON CU
SUBJECT: BOLIVIAN-CUBAN RELATIONS: LIBERTAD ACT

REF: A. SECSTATE 52541

B. 07 LA PAZ 3152

Classified By: A/DCM Mike Hammer for Reasons 1.4(b),(d.)


1. (U) The following responses are keyed to the questions in
ref A and reflect only new developments since ref B.


2. (C) Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to
promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba?
- No, the Bolivian government continues to see Cuba as a path
to take, not a problem to fix. Independent of the government,
there was a rally for Cuban Solidarity day held in Bolivia.


3. (C) Has the host country made other public statements or
undertaken governmental actions ... or actions in support of
civil society in Cuba through host country's diplomatic
missions or other fora?
- No. Government officials in Bolivia are supportive of
actions taken by Fidel Castro. Bolivian president Evo
Morales considers him an advisor and "a very wise man."


4. (C) Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits
between Cuba and host country in the past six months?
- Yes, Morales has visited Cuba in the past six months, with
the most recent being May 21 for Cuban Solidarity day. That
afternoon, Morales flew to Caracas where a memorandum of
understanding was signed between Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia.

- The Cuban Ambassador to Bolivia Rafael Dausa occasionally
speaks on the Bolivian-US diplomatic situation, usually
critiquing the United States for alleged involvement in
Bolivian sovereign affairs. He made a statement May 18 saying
that the U.S. might be funding the campaign against Evo
Morales in his August 10 recall referendum. "It wouldn't
surprise me, because when there is a legitimate government, a
revolutionary government, a government that defends its
people, the U.S. government takes care of attacking it, of
lying, of campaigning against it," Dausa said.


5. (C) What is the nature of investments that host country
businesses have in Cuba?
- Bolivia still has no significant investments in Cuba.



6. (C) Are there any bilateral trade agreements between host
country and Cuba?
-Cuba and Bolivia have not made any new agreements since
signing a "Complementary Economic Agreement" November 21,
2007 (ref B). The two countries remain bound by their 1995
Economic Cooperation Agreement and the "People's Trade
Agreement" with Venezuela (ALBA.) Despite a series of
publicized bilateral agreements and trade fairs under the
Morales administration, trade between Cuba and Bolivia
remains relatively insignificant. Bolivian exports to Cuba
totaled approximately $100,000 for 2007 and again consisted
of cooking oil and varied chocolate goods.

--There have been no high level meetings between Bolivian and
Cuban officials regarding trade. Dr. Javier Hurtado replaced
Celinda Sosa as Minister of Production and Micro-Management
and has yet to make any trips to Havana.

--The establishment of state-run airline Boliviana de
Aviacion (BOA) is still underway, with Venezuela and Cuba as
key partners. The Director of BOA had originally told EmbOff
that a June 2008 launch was anticipated, but it seemed
unrealistic given their stage of planning and that they had
yet to purchase any aircraft. BOA confirmed that a major
international route will be La Paz-Caracas-Havana.


7. (C) Are there any exchange programs between host country
and Cuba?
- Almost 2,000 Cuban doctors are still sent throughout
Bolivia. Complaints concerning Cuban doctors' lack of
training and equipment are still being reported.

- The Cuban plan to eliminate illiteracy in Bolivian
territory by September 2008 under the campaign "Yes I can!"
continues throughout Bolivia. The program is consistently
praised by Evo Morales, who often holds a ceremony for areas
that are considered literate by the program. More than 100
Cuban literary advisors are aided by Venezuelan logistical
and equipment support.

- Cuba offers limited scholarships to Bolivian students
seeking to study at Cuban universities and claims more than
5,000 Bolivian medical students. Bolivian media report two
Bolivian students dying under mysterious circumstances in
Cuba, although both the Cuban and Bolivian government have
denied any irregularities. The family of one student
demanded an investigation after the students corpse was
returned with his internal organs removed. The Bolivian
government denied the request.


8. (C) COMMENT. The Morales government looks up to the Cuban
government. The most recent visit by Evo to visit Raul Castro
indicates Evo's continued dedication to Castro family values,
regardless of which brother is holding the reins. The
Venezuelan link remains crucial as Cuba, bolstered by
subsidized Venezuelan oil, sends medical and literacy
assistance to Bolivia with heavy Venezuelan logistical
support. Venezuela and Cuba can be expected to exercise
considerable influence in Bolivia so long as Evo Morales
remains in power. END COMMENT.
URS