EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING-LA PAZ 9/16 1700

S E C R E T LA PAZ 001994

NOFORN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: AMER ASEC AMGT PTER BL
SUBJECT: EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING-LA PAZ 9/16 1700

REF: LA PAZ 1984 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: RSO Patrick J. Moore, reasons 1.4 c,d


1. (U) Summary: EAC meet on 9/16 at 5 p.m. to review the
9/16 demonstrations, discuss information on possible
demonstrations for later in the week, review the Bolivian
government's reaction to the counter-narcotics certification
announcement, and discuss progress on authorized departure.
End summary.

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Situation Update
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2. (C) At least four social group marched or met on 9/16. A
group of 80 campesinos (small farmers) met in a plaza three
blocks from the Embassy, but made no attempt to come to the
embassy. A group of 800 students from the El Alto Public
University (UPEA) marched downtown to put pressure on the
congress to have the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) draft
constitution approved; this group never headed toward the
Embassy despite earlier threats to do so. A group of 60
campesinos gathered south of the Embassy and marched to put
pressure on congress to approve the MAS constitution; this
group was diverted from the Embassy by the police. A group
of 1000 people supporting the government and protesting
against the opposition prefects gathered at three television
stations and threatened to destroy the facilities; this group
did not attempt to come to the Embassy. As of 4 p.m. all
groups had dispersed and none came within fewer than five
blocks of the Embassy.


3. (C) Sources inform us that a group of 500 opposition
supporters is marching toward Santa Cruz, where clashes are
expected with MAS aligned groups. New information indicates
that the government plans to pressure Santa Cruz by sending
MAS-aligned groups to confront the opposition. All USG
personnel in Santa Cruz have been relocated to La Paz.


4. (C) Although President Morales may react negatively to the
announcement of the counter-narcotics certification decision,
current events in Bolivia (the arrest of Pando Prefect
Leopoldo Fernandez and the possible start of dialogue between
the government and opposition) may keep demonstrators focused
on domestic issues. However, sources inform us that the
chances for dialogue between the opposition and the
government have decreased following the government's arrest
of opposition Pando Prefect Leopoldo Fernandez. Well-placed
sources suggest that the government is considering extending
martial law to the opposition departments of Beni and Santa
Cruz. The government-aligned siege of congress has so far
not materialized, but many of the potential participants are
in La Paz, providing a possible strike force at whatever
target the government selects.


5. (C) Deputy Foreign Minister Hugo Fernandez told Charge
9/16 that Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca had decided not
to go to the UNASUR meeting in Santiago, instead staying in
La Paz to deal with the security issue of the planned
demonstrations against the Embassy. Fernandez said that
Choquehuanca had personally spoken to the government-aligned
social groups to ask them not to protest at the Embassy and
that Choquehuanca had also asked Government Minister Alfredo
Rada to ensure appropriate police protection of USG buildings.

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Certification--Government's Initial Reaction
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6. (S/NF) Charge reported that his call to Fernandez to
inform him of the upcoming counter-narcotics certification
decision did not come as a surprise to Fernandez and also did
not elicit a strong response. Charge laid out the reasons
and explained the purpose of the waiver. NAS spoke with Vice
Minister Felipe Caceres, who had expected the announcement
and informed NAS that the government would "nationalize"
counter-narcotics activities but would still accept USG
cooperation. NAS warned that the government reaction may
become more negative as higher-level officials become
involved. DEA spoke with FELCN (counter-narcotics police)
Director Rene Sanabria, who was surprised by the decision.
DEA commented that Sanabria has always focused on his
interdiction statistics (which are good) and is "not
politically savvy." DEA emphasized the benefits of DEA
presence in Bolivia and will work with Sanabria to provide
him points on this subject to present to Caceres. DEA
reports that Sanabria appreciates the DEA presence and wants
it to continue. (See septel for full readout.)

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Authorized Departure Update
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7. (C) Acting on the Department's urging that all personnel
and EFMs requesting authorized departure depart by close of
business 9/17, the EAC convened and arranged for one (and if
needed, two) C130 flights to Lima, departing the morning of
9/17. People who had scheduled later departures on
commercial flights have been moved up to the C130 flights
when possible (one family was not able to change plans, for
example, because of a sick child). Currently 116 people have
requested authorized departure and will have departed by
close of business 9/17; 30 mission personnel and dependents
are currently on the C130 manifest, plus 7 non-official
Amcits. If space allows, 5 Peruvian USG contractors will
also be on the C130. 10 employees are "caught out", having
been outside the country at the time of the authorized
departure decision. DEA continues to use its King Air planes
to take staff and family out of Bolivia, with three flights
scheduled for 9/17.


8. (C) Consular and GSO personnel will be present at the
Ambassador's residence (the starting point for the C130
flights) the morning of 9/17, and GSO is providing buses to
the airport. Charge will accompany the group to the airport.
Peruvian visa issues were resolved thanks to Embassy Lima.
GSO La Paz is coordinating with GSO Lima. Embassy La Paz has
coordinated with Embassy Lima throughout this accelerated
departure process, and Embassy Lima has generously offered to
receive and help accommodate those on authorized departure.
Embassy La Paz is extremely grateful for Embassy Lima's
efforts during this challenging time.


9. (C) In light of the lack of demonstration at the Embassy
on 9/15 and 9/16, the EAC decided that ordered departure is
not warranted at this time. EAC decided that staffing would
return to normal on 9/17 unless the certification
announcement prompts a significant government reaction or
threats of violent demonstrations.

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Actions Considered
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10. (U) The EAC reviewed actions to take and notifications
needed for Mission personnel and U.S. wardens. The following
is provided:

a. One and, if needed, two C130 flights will depart the
morning of 9/17 to take mission personnel and families,
non-official Amcits, and USG contractors (space available) to
Lima.

b. Embassy will operate at normal staffing 9/17, unless
information is received to suggest that a violent protest is
planned. EAC activated the telephone cascade to inform
employees of this decision.

c. EAC will hold another meeting 9/17 at 10 a.m.

d. POCs are RSO Patrick Moore (moorepj@state.gov) and DRSO
Daniel Hernandez (hernandezd@state.gov),IVG 547-8300.
URS