BOLIVIA: PREFECTS PROMISE PROTESTS IF TALKS TANK

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000266 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL BL ASEC SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: PREFECTS PROMISE PROTESTS IF TALKS TANK Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 b,d ¶1. (SBU) Bolivia's National Democratic Council (consisting of the autonomy-seeking eastern and lowland departments or states) met on February 7 to declare that they will grant President Evo Morales until February 13 to respond to their demands on autonomy and resources to the departments. If the opposition departments are not satisfied by the central government's response, they plan to initiate protests and other pressure tactics, says the declaration signed by the prefects of Santa Cruz, Beni, Tarija, Pando, and the interim prefect of Cochabamba. ¶2. (C) Karen Balcazar, Director of International Relations for the prefectural government of Santa Cruz, informs us that the opposition departments are making the rounds of embassies in La Paz to explain the situation, particularly so that "when the dialogue fails, it is clear to the international community that the Morales government is to blame." Santa Cruz prefect Ruben Costas quoted Vice President Garcia Linera's adamant statement that 'not one comma of the constitution will be moved' as evidence that "...(the central government) are telling us that there is no more dialogue on this matter." Meanwhile, government spokesman Alex Contreras tried to shift blame onto the departments, saying "practically, they're breaking the dialogue." Government Minister Alfredo Rada went further, characterizing the opposition prefects' declaration as a provocation that could result in "violence, death and confrontations." ¶3. (SBU) Joining in the February 7 declaration were civic leaders from Santa Cruz, Beni, Tarija, Pando, Cochabamba and also leaders from Chuquisaca, the home of the constitutional capital of Sucre, where three deaths occurred in November 2007 during confrontations over the draft constitution. The declaration also demands that the central government convoke an election for the prefect of Chuquisaca (note: the previous Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) prefect has left the country. End note.) The opposition prefects and civic leaders also repeated their objection to any cuts in hydrocarbons taxes to the departments, and they asked that the central government "cease its interference in the National Electoral Court so as not to obstruct the departmental courts in the administration of departmental referendums." ¶4. (C) Comment: Although the central government has invited the prefects to more talks, neither side seems to feel that any progress will be made. It is not clear what protest measures the opposition departments might take, but it is likely that blockades and strikes would figure in their plans; there is also a possibility of scattered violent confrontations. What is apparent is that both the central government and the opposition want the other to be blamed for the failure of the dialogue. End comment. GOLDBERG