Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LAPAZ1391
2008-06-19 20:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
BOLIVIA: BARELY REASSURING ASSURANCES
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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
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
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