BOLIVIAN BISHOP ON EMBASSY ATTACK AND DIALOGUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001354 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL BL SUBJECT: BOLIVIAN BISHOP ON EMBASSY ATTACK AND DIALOGUE Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In response to the June 9 violent protest by several thousand El Alto residents against the Embassy, the Ambassador met with El Alto Bishop Jesus Juarez Parraga to discuss the mood of the people of his archdiocese. The Bishop explained that the protest leaders are simply political opportunists, and that many protesters were ordered to march on the Embassy. But, he noted, there is a real resentment amongst some segments of the city against the United States for having granted asylum to former minister of defense Carlos Sanchez Berzain. More revealing was the Bishop's insights into the national talks between the government and opposition that he and the Catholic Church are trying to facilitate. The Bishop views neither the Morales administration nor the opposition as participating in good faith. Juarez stated that Morales' public declarations in support of talks have to date been for show. End Summary ¶2. (C) The Ambassador met with Bishop Jesus Juarez Parraga on June 13. Juarez' archdiocese covers the city of El Alto, the source of the protesters who violently attempted to break-into the Embassy compound on June 9. Bishop Juarez noted that the June 9 protest was to some degree an expression of frustration by El Alto residents for the failure of the national government to prosecute anyone for the events of October 2003 in which over 60 people died and 400 were injured. Many victims feel that they have not been appropriately compensated, stated the Bishop. ¶3. (C) Within this context, it was easy for some civic leaders to rally a large protest group against the Embassy once Altenos learned that the U.S. government had granted asylum to former defense minister Carlos Sanchez Berzain. Berzain, the Bishop noted, is actually more reviled than former President Gonzalo 'Goni' Sanchez de Lozada for the events of October 2003. Sanchez Berzain is despised because he is largely seen as the "spokesperson" for the Goni administration officials who El Alto residents deem responsible for "Black October." Also, many Altenos fear that Sanchez Berzain' renowned legal skills will result in his acquittal. ¶4. (C) The Bishop echoed what we have heard from many political analysts - that the protest leaders (Roberto de la Cruz, Braulio Rocha) and others are simply political opportunists. The opportunists, he noted, view attacks on the Embassy as an easy way to raise their standing with Evo in the hopes of obtaining some a high-level government position or other reward. The Bishop added that most protesters did not march out of real conviction. On the contrary most marched because opportunistic leaders ordered them to do so. He noted that marchers received payments, and that civic leaders threatened fines to people who chose not to participate. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador noted that he has canceled his events in El Alto for the next few weeks for security reasons and to avoid giving the government any reason to state that he was being provocative. Bishop Juarez concurred that the Ambassador should avoid any public events in El Alto for a little while, arguing that the "wounds (from June 9) are still fresh." ¶6. (C) Bishop Juarez expressed pessimism on the possibility for a successful national dialogue between the government and opposition. Juarez, who is one of the Catholic Church's main facilitators in the national talks, argued that the government has not participated in good faith. He noted that opposition has shown little willingness to really negotiate either. The Bishop argued that Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera's recent announcement that national talks should he postponed until after the August 10 recall referendum is yet another negative sign that any negotiated agreement will be long time coming. The recall referendum could actually result in renewed violence if certain prefects (he mentioned Pando's Leopoldo Fernandez) lose. Supporters of Fernandez will likely not accept his recall, thus prompting a confrontation with Evo's supporters, the Bishop noted. ¶7. (C) Juarez' assistant Father Eugenio Scarpellini argued that support for Evo from the international community ) which was once unconditional -- is turning against the President. Scarpellini noted that it is time for the international community to present a united front and to begin pressuring Evo to change his tactics. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) Most of what Bishop Juarez told the Ambassador was common knowledge. His views into the national talks between the government and opposition confirms our assessment that both Evo and the opposition to date have not acted in good faith, despite public declarations to the contrary. End Comment. GOLDBERG