AUSTRIA: EXPULSION OF DEA FROM BOLIVIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001696 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/AND (ROCHA) E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM SNAR BL AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIA: EXPULSION OF DEA FROM BOLIVIA REF: STATE 118934 Classified by: Economic-Political Counselor J. Dean Yap for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Polchief discussed reftel points November 20 with Andreas Melan, MFA Unit Chief for Latin America and the Caribbean. Melan said he had just received notice that the French EU Presidency has decided to instruct EU troika ambassadors in La Paz to demarche the Bolivian Government on their concerns regarding increased coca production. Melan said EU officials believe that Bolivian coca production far exceeds what is needed for legal, non-narcotic purposes. Two years ago, the EU began funding a study of coca production in Bolivia that Melan believes would confirm that suspicion. However, no study results have been released to date, and Melan suspects that the Bolivians, who are conducting the research, are dragging their feet. ¶2. (C) Polchief emphasized that the DEA has been working closely with Bolivian law enforcement for 35 years. This cooperation is focused on counternarcotics; the DEA does not get involved in political matters. Ending this cooperation will lead to more cocaine on the streets of European and American cities, he said. Melan replied that the GOA and other EU members share that concern, but are currently preoccupied with political conflicts in Bolivia that they fear could lead to instability. GIRARD-DICARLO