Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LAPAZ2671
2008-12-31 17:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
BOLIVIA CONDEMNS "ISRAELI CRIMINAL AGGRESSION"
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002671
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018
TAGS: IS ASEC PGOV PINR PREL KTER BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA CONDEMNS "ISRAELI CRIMINAL AGGRESSION"
Classified By: Acting EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons
1.4 (b,d.)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002671
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018
TAGS: IS ASEC PGOV PINR PREL KTER BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA CONDEMNS "ISRAELI CRIMINAL AGGRESSION"
Classified By: Acting EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons
1.4 (b,d.)
1. SUMMARY. (SBU) In response to the violence in the Gaza
strip, on December 29 Bolivian Foreign Minister David
Choquehuanca condemned Israel for its "criminal aggression."
"We completely disapprove," Choquehuanca told press and
announced that Bolivia had demanded that the United Nations
(UN) intervene to stop the attacks. The condemnation
continued December 30, as Palestinians in Bolivia protested
in the streets against what they call a "massacre backed by
President Bush." END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) On December 29, Bolivian Foreign Minister David
Choquehuanca publicly condemned Israel to the press.
Choquehuanca staunchly defended Hamas, saying that Israel was
violating the Palestinian's international human rights to
live in their own territory. Choquehuanca also confirmed that
Bolivia had called on the UN to intervene to stop the
"collective punishment on all of those living in the region,
under the argument that it's a response to the action taken
by a few militants."
3. (SBU) Bolivia is a hotspot for young Israeli tourists, but
it was Palestinians in the country that came out December 30
to protest the attacks on Gaza. "They're killing us in our
own territory...it's a massacre," said the groups, marching
in the state of Santa Cruz. Representatives also criticized
the U.S., saying that Israel acted with "impunity" because it
was confident in the backing of President Bush. The marchers
claimed that the past 8 years have been "harmful" for the
Arab people, particularly Palestinians. The protesters plan
to hold a national march on Monday January 5, to which they
have invited "all of the Palestinians, all of the Arabs, and
all of the Bolivians" to participate. (NOTE: Bolivia has a
small Arab-Palestinian immigrant community dating back to the
1940's. END NOTE.)
4. (C) COMMENT. Bolivia's quick criticism of Israel and
defense of Hamas could be expected. Morales' loyalty to his
new-found ally in Iran, coupled with his disdain for the
U.S., creates a one-sided view of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. As long as Morales is convinced that the U.S. is
aligned with Israel, he will continue to be a friendly face
to the expanding Arab presence in Latin America. END COMMENT.
LAMBERT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018
TAGS: IS ASEC PGOV PINR PREL KTER BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA CONDEMNS "ISRAELI CRIMINAL AGGRESSION"
Classified By: Acting EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons
1.4 (b,d.)
1. SUMMARY. (SBU) In response to the violence in the Gaza
strip, on December 29 Bolivian Foreign Minister David
Choquehuanca condemned Israel for its "criminal aggression."
"We completely disapprove," Choquehuanca told press and
announced that Bolivia had demanded that the United Nations
(UN) intervene to stop the attacks. The condemnation
continued December 30, as Palestinians in Bolivia protested
in the streets against what they call a "massacre backed by
President Bush." END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) On December 29, Bolivian Foreign Minister David
Choquehuanca publicly condemned Israel to the press.
Choquehuanca staunchly defended Hamas, saying that Israel was
violating the Palestinian's international human rights to
live in their own territory. Choquehuanca also confirmed that
Bolivia had called on the UN to intervene to stop the
"collective punishment on all of those living in the region,
under the argument that it's a response to the action taken
by a few militants."
3. (SBU) Bolivia is a hotspot for young Israeli tourists, but
it was Palestinians in the country that came out December 30
to protest the attacks on Gaza. "They're killing us in our
own territory...it's a massacre," said the groups, marching
in the state of Santa Cruz. Representatives also criticized
the U.S., saying that Israel acted with "impunity" because it
was confident in the backing of President Bush. The marchers
claimed that the past 8 years have been "harmful" for the
Arab people, particularly Palestinians. The protesters plan
to hold a national march on Monday January 5, to which they
have invited "all of the Palestinians, all of the Arabs, and
all of the Bolivians" to participate. (NOTE: Bolivia has a
small Arab-Palestinian immigrant community dating back to the
1940's. END NOTE.)
4. (C) COMMENT. Bolivia's quick criticism of Israel and
defense of Hamas could be expected. Morales' loyalty to his
new-found ally in Iran, coupled with his disdain for the
U.S., creates a one-sided view of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. As long as Morales is convinced that the U.S. is
aligned with Israel, he will continue to be a friendly face
to the expanding Arab presence in Latin America. END COMMENT.
LAMBERT