BOLIVIA: WHAT EVO TELLS HIS PEOPLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001981

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER EAID ODIP OFDP BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: WHAT EVO TELLS HIS PEOPLE

REF: LA PAZ 1942

Classified By: A/EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons 1.4 (b)(d)


1. (C) Summary. A member of congress with President Evo
Morales' Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party provided
PolOff with rundown of Morales' latest meeting with MAS
congressional representatives. Morales allegedly told the
congressmen that "new friends" like Venezuela and Iran could
make up for any loss in U.S. assistance, that it was time to
push the government agenda forward and jail opposition
prefects (governors),and that he would only leave office "as
a corpse." Morales also asked for help denouncing Ambassador
Goldberg only hours before declaring him persona non grata.
The MAS member of congress said a third of MAS congressmen
are moderates who object to distancing the government from
the United States, but are too afraid to speak out. End
Summary.

With Friends Like These... Evo to Replace USG with Rogues
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2. (C) During a September 10 meeting with ruling Movement
Toward Socialism (MAS) congressmen, Bolivian President Evo
Morales hinted that he was going to declare the Ambassador
persona non grata, but that they should not worry about the
consequences. According to MAS congressional representative
Ana Lucia Reis (strictly protect) Morales conceded he did not
know what, if any, ramifications the decision would have, but
he predicted the USG would simply send a new ambassador next
year with the change in administration. Even in the worst
case scenario, Morales assured his MAS congressmen, "You
don't need to worry, we only get a minuscule amount of
assistance from the United States."


3. (C) Morales explained that Venezuela and new allies like
Iran would replace any assistance lost from the USG, using
the opportunity to expand on his "very successful" September
1 trip to Iran. Evo allegedly claimed Venezuela already
gives more assistance to Bolivia than the United States.
(Note: Venezuela's "official" annual assistance to Bolivia is
about $50 million. End Note.)

Morales: Hell No, I Won't Go
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4. (C) Concerning constant pleas he step down and rumors of
coups, Morales told the congressmen "I am telling you again,
I will only leave office as a corpse." Reis said Morales was
extremely confident in the wake of ostensibly obtaining 67
percent of vote during the August recall referendum and
equated the results with support for the government's
"change" agenda and the new MAS draft constitution. "This
mandate means now is the time move the revolution forward."
He said regional opposition (Media Luna) prefects and
business leaders were criminals and would be sent to jail.
Presidency Minister Juan Ramon Quintana, who also attended,
allegedly added that "there is plenty of jail space in Cuba
for them." Morales outlined a strategy to starve the Media
Luna of international sympathy by fomenting violence and
blaming prefects. He seemed, in Reis' opinion, coldly
unaffected by the violence and death in "his country."

MAS Moderates Mute as Evo Calls for Denouncing Ambassador
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5. (C) Reis said the September 10 Morales announcement PNGing
Ambassador Goldberg (reftel) made her "ashamed of my
country." She contended that at least a third of MAS
congressmen do not believe the charges against the Ambassador
and want to continue close relations with the USG, but are
too afraid to say anything back to Evo, adding, "This is not
Brazil ... where you can just say what you want with no
consequences."


6. (C) Reis said despite "the current political atmosphere,
which is moving us toward civil war," Morales conducted a
very typical and perfunctory meeting. As is "normal" for
meetings with MAS congressmen, Evo berated, insulted, and
ordered as MAS congressmen nodded their heads. Reis had
considered speaking up for a softer line with the Media Luna,
but eventually decided such an act would be futile and put
her in unnecessary jeopardy. She said she learned her lesson
when she tried to speak up a year ago and was shouted down by
Morales and an advisor. "Evo does not listen to anyone
except (Minister of Government Alfredo) Rada, Quintana, and
(Minister of Defense Walker) San Miguel. What's the point?"


7. (C) Evo scolded the group, as he has done in past meetings
with MAS congressmen, for failing to attack the Ambassador.
"Am I all alone in this fight?" he asked rhetorically.
(Note: The next day, four MAS congressmen put out a full-page
newspaper advertisement attacking the Ambassador. End Note.)
He told congressmen to help him publicize supposed links
between the USG and Media Luna opposition leaders. Morales
added, shouting, "Your job is to make the Media Luna look
like a bunch of crazies."

Comment
--------------


8. (C) We have noted an increasing reluctance from
government-aligned contacts to talk to us or be associated
with us. Reis is an exception and also an advocate of USG
programs in her native Pando. PolOff with experience in
Chavez's Venezuela notes that when he first arrived a year
ago, he had no problem meeting with government officials, MAS
party members, or El Alto social group leaders. Now phone
calls go unreturned and meetings, if they can be arranged at
all, are in discreet locations. The fear factor so prevalent
in Venezuela is unfortunately becoming the norm in Bolivia.
End Comment.
URS