BOLIVIA: BARELY REASSURING ASSURANCES

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001391 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PTER BL SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: BARELY REASSURING ASSURANCES Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer reasons 1.4 b,d ¶1. (SBU) In a June 19 interview in La Paz daily La Razon, Bolivian Ambassador to the United States Gustavo Guzman said, "We have given (the USG) assurances that (the Embassy) will not suffer incidents, that there will be no greater difficulties, that they can be sure that the National Police will do their work of providing security." In La Paz, Police Commander Raul Mantilla (replacing Commander Escobar, who was fired for his decision to protect the Embassy with water and gas) also offered assurances for the safety of all embassies in the city. ¶2. (SBU) Striking a more confrontational note, Vice Foreign Minister Hugo Fernandez said that the Bolivian government was willing to talk with U.S. officials to improve bilateral relations, but "we don't want interventions from the United States in our country's internal affairs." Government Minister Rada again blamed the Ambassador: "Relations with the United States are fine, aside from the fact that there are some difficulties talking to their Ambassador in Bolivia, Philip Goldberg." Rada then suggested that the USG should take advantage of the Ambassador's recall to ask the Ambassador about his "political activities in Bolivia." Rada echoed Police Commander Mantilla's assurance of security for all embassies, but added that the Bolivian government is "worried" by the presence of ex-President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada and ex-Defense Minister Sanchez Berzain in the United States. ¶3. (C) Comment: Under a picture of A/S Shannon shaking hands with Evo Morales on the day before Evo assumed the presidency, La Paz daily La Razon cited A/S Shannon's interview linking improved bilateral relations to dialogue between the two countries. Evo's inner circle, however, does not appear eager to engage fully. After congratulating the organizers of the June 9 protest at the Embassy, Evo has not made any public statement assuring protection for the Embassy, and his ministers' statements have been couched in caveats. We will continue to press the government for credible assurances; in fact, the Charge will be meeting Vice Foreign Minister Fernandez later today. End comment. URS