Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LAPAZ457
2008-03-03 20:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
how-toVZCZCXYZ0869 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHLP #0457/01 0632021 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 032021Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6633 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 7660 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 5023 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 8934 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 6149 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3363 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 3580 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 5291 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 5992 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0615 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0960 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000457
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: EVO BEATS CONSPIRACY/WAR DRUMS
Classified By: A/DCM Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000457
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: EVO BEATS CONSPIRACY/WAR DRUMS
Classified By: A/DCM Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: President Evo Morales is taking conspiracy
charges to new levels of absurdity. Morales said March 2
that the United States uses its South American
counter-narcotics efforts as a smokescreen for military
intervention and political meddling. Morales linked a
perceived upturn in an alleged U.S. conspiracy against his
government with a desire to sabotage prospects for a new
constitution that would include banning foreign (read U.S.)
military bases. Charges of U.S. conspiracy have become a
standard talking point in the government's public
engagements, although Foreign Minister Choquehuanca expressly
exempted us from charges that other diplomats met with
opposition leaders last week. The allegation that diplomats
cannot meet with members of the opposition without risking
charges of "conspiracy" is troubling. End Summary.
Evo: Drug War Excuse for South American Invasion
-------------- ---
2. (U) Bolivian President Evo Morales alleged March 2 that
the U.S. is using its counter-narcotics efforts in South
America for political purposes and as a pretext for "military
intervention." Morales asserted the professed U.S. concerns
about drug-related crime or health issues are not genuine and
used as an excuse to engage in political meddling. He argued
the U.S. similarly used concerns about anti-terrorism and
weapons of mass destruction as an excuse to invade Iraq, when
the real reason was control of Iraq's oil supplies. Morales
once again denounced an alleged U.S. conspiracy against his
administration led by Ambassador Goldberg.
Paranoia Spreads as Opposition Briefs EU, Others
-------------- ---
3. (U) In separate comments, Foreign Minister Choquehuanca
lamented that the EU and their diplomats met with opposition
congressmen, most notably Senate President Oscar Ortiz
(PODEMOS-Santa Cruz). The Foreign Minister accused the
opposition party PODEMOS of trying to "isolate and overthrow"
the Morales administration. Choquehuanca announced an
"informative" meeting with the diplomatic corps March 3 to
discuss the issue. These latest comments are consistent with
President Morales' frequently expressed concern that some
countries' diplomatic missions are "practicing politics"
instead of diplomacy, indicating the proper role of a
diplomat should be confined to improving commercial relations
and to promoting positive ties with the government.
Sherlock Evo Connects Conspiracy with Bases
--------------
4. (U) President Morales postulated a direct cause and effect
relationship between a proposed ban on foreign military bases
in the draft constitution and a supposed increase in alleged
U.S. conspiracy against his administration. "Why does the
U.S. Embassy mobilize so much against the government, against
the new constitution? Comrades, it is the first time a
constitution expressly defines that no country can have a
military base in Bolivia, especially not the United States."
Morales added February 29 that the United States establishes
military bases because it wants to control Bolivia both
politically and militarily.
5. (C) Although Morales has repeatedly railed against
permitting foreign (read U.S.) military bases in Bolivia
during his two years in office, there are no U.S. military
bases in Bolivia. We suspect he is confusing our DEA
facilities in Chimore (Cochabamba Department) with a "base."
Morales seemed to imply as much when he added "there are
still DEA agent infiltrators in Chimore," noting he had
photographs to prove it. Morales also harkened back to his
days as a coca union organizer, when the Bolivian military
had to "submit" to orders from DEA agents to "repress us."
He may mistakenly believe Bolivian units working "with" our
NAS and DEA offices based in Chimore (at the pleasure of the
Bolivian government per long-standing bilateral agreements)
are instead working "for" them.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) The Morales Administration remains incredibly
sensitive to the international community meeting with
opposition forces. The Foreign Minister voiced his
displeasure publicly and in calling in the Diplomatic Corps
March 3 hopes to discourage such contacts (septel).
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: EVO BEATS CONSPIRACY/WAR DRUMS
Classified By: A/DCM Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: President Evo Morales is taking conspiracy
charges to new levels of absurdity. Morales said March 2
that the United States uses its South American
counter-narcotics efforts as a smokescreen for military
intervention and political meddling. Morales linked a
perceived upturn in an alleged U.S. conspiracy against his
government with a desire to sabotage prospects for a new
constitution that would include banning foreign (read U.S.)
military bases. Charges of U.S. conspiracy have become a
standard talking point in the government's public
engagements, although Foreign Minister Choquehuanca expressly
exempted us from charges that other diplomats met with
opposition leaders last week. The allegation that diplomats
cannot meet with members of the opposition without risking
charges of "conspiracy" is troubling. End Summary.
Evo: Drug War Excuse for South American Invasion
-------------- ---
2. (U) Bolivian President Evo Morales alleged March 2 that
the U.S. is using its counter-narcotics efforts in South
America for political purposes and as a pretext for "military
intervention." Morales asserted the professed U.S. concerns
about drug-related crime or health issues are not genuine and
used as an excuse to engage in political meddling. He argued
the U.S. similarly used concerns about anti-terrorism and
weapons of mass destruction as an excuse to invade Iraq, when
the real reason was control of Iraq's oil supplies. Morales
once again denounced an alleged U.S. conspiracy against his
administration led by Ambassador Goldberg.
Paranoia Spreads as Opposition Briefs EU, Others
-------------- ---
3. (U) In separate comments, Foreign Minister Choquehuanca
lamented that the EU and their diplomats met with opposition
congressmen, most notably Senate President Oscar Ortiz
(PODEMOS-Santa Cruz). The Foreign Minister accused the
opposition party PODEMOS of trying to "isolate and overthrow"
the Morales administration. Choquehuanca announced an
"informative" meeting with the diplomatic corps March 3 to
discuss the issue. These latest comments are consistent with
President Morales' frequently expressed concern that some
countries' diplomatic missions are "practicing politics"
instead of diplomacy, indicating the proper role of a
diplomat should be confined to improving commercial relations
and to promoting positive ties with the government.
Sherlock Evo Connects Conspiracy with Bases
--------------
4. (U) President Morales postulated a direct cause and effect
relationship between a proposed ban on foreign military bases
in the draft constitution and a supposed increase in alleged
U.S. conspiracy against his administration. "Why does the
U.S. Embassy mobilize so much against the government, against
the new constitution? Comrades, it is the first time a
constitution expressly defines that no country can have a
military base in Bolivia, especially not the United States."
Morales added February 29 that the United States establishes
military bases because it wants to control Bolivia both
politically and militarily.
5. (C) Although Morales has repeatedly railed against
permitting foreign (read U.S.) military bases in Bolivia
during his two years in office, there are no U.S. military
bases in Bolivia. We suspect he is confusing our DEA
facilities in Chimore (Cochabamba Department) with a "base."
Morales seemed to imply as much when he added "there are
still DEA agent infiltrators in Chimore," noting he had
photographs to prove it. Morales also harkened back to his
days as a coca union organizer, when the Bolivian military
had to "submit" to orders from DEA agents to "repress us."
He may mistakenly believe Bolivian units working "with" our
NAS and DEA offices based in Chimore (at the pleasure of the
Bolivian government per long-standing bilateral agreements)
are instead working "for" them.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) The Morales Administration remains incredibly
sensitive to the international community meeting with
opposition forces. The Foreign Minister voiced his
displeasure publicly and in calling in the Diplomatic Corps
March 3 hopes to discourage such contacts (septel).
GOLDBERG