Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GUATEMALA961
2009-11-04 18:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
Leftists Moderate Tone and Strategy, but Maintain Radical
how-toVZCZCXYZ0031 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHGT #0961 3081829 ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADD251BD TOQ1034 641) R 041829Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0348 INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000961
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PINR GT
SUBJECT: Leftists Moderate Tone and Strategy, but Maintain Radical
Links
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000961
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PINR GT
SUBJECT: Leftists Moderate Tone and Strategy, but Maintain Radical
Links
1. (U) Summary: President Colom linked Guatemala's violence to
extreme social and economic inequality during a two day conference
entitled, "Political Change in Latin America: the State, Democracy
and Social Policy." Public officials, including President Colom,
academics, journalists and foreign dignitaries discussed the role
of the left in shaping and implementing social and economic policy
in Latin America. In doing so, Colom, alongside other speakers,
acknowledged democracy, transparency and accountability as keys to
success. However, while the event featured many moderates, space
was made for far left rhetoric - some of it anti-U.S. - and Cuban
embassy officials attended. End Summary.
2. (U) The Secretary of Peace (SEPAZ),Orlando Blanco, NGOs and
academic institutions hosted a conference in Guatemala City from
October 21-23 titled "Political Change in Latin America: the State,
Democracy and Social Policy." The event focused on the role of the
left in Latin America and the implementation of public policy to
spur equality and social justice. The program featured mostly
leftist academics, politicians, technocrats and different NGO
representatives. The conference was well attended (around 200
people on the day Poloff attended),with the bulk of the crowd
comprised of students from the public University of San Carlos and
government employees from SEPAZ and the Ministry of Education.
3. (U) President Colom opened the conference and described an
intrinsic link between violence and social inequality, two issues
that plague Guatemala. Colom noted that Guatemala's extreme
inequality demanded political and economic change. He said that a
conference participant had told him "not to worry about the rates
of homicide or assault, (but rather) to worry about inequality."
Colom proclaimed that he would pursue such change peacefully and
address policy opportunities as they presented themselves. He also
touted the role of the Administration's social programs such as My
Family Progresses and Open Schools in alleviating poverty.
4. (U) Although many prominent members of Guatemala's left were
guerrilla supporters or members during the 1960-1996 civil
conflict, the modern Guatemalan leftist movement has embraced
democratic principles and conference attendees nodded in agreement
with speakers that advocated for social and economic change through
democracy. Further, the crowd offered a warm reception to comments
asserting that such change begins with transparency, accountability
and respect for human rights by the government.
5. (U) Despite the overall moderate tone of the conference, it was
evident that radical elements continue to wield some influence.
Cuban Embassy officials were lauded at the event and Cuban
academics participated. Further, some on the left still view the
United States as a threat. One academic chided the United States
for inciting the Global Financial Crisis and claimed that the
crisis has vindicated those that opposed neo-liberal economic
policies. In other speakers' remarks regarding the United States,
there was little acknowledgment of the change in the U.S.
administration and what that might mean for the inter-American
relations. Instead, the speaker described the United States as a
regional aggressor and opposed "U.S. military bases" in Colombia.
6. (SBU) Comment: The remarks by President Colom and others
indicate that some in the Guatemalan left are committed to change
through democracy and the rule of law. Indeed, Colom has staked
the success of his government on its ability to deliver economic
progress and improved social welfare for the rural poor. Until now
he has had limited success. Nevertheless, there are still links to
radical leftists, and to Latin American authoritarian governments.
However, we do not see significant grassroots support for
Chavez-style socialist populism. End comment.
Robinson
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PINR GT
SUBJECT: Leftists Moderate Tone and Strategy, but Maintain Radical
Links
1. (U) Summary: President Colom linked Guatemala's violence to
extreme social and economic inequality during a two day conference
entitled, "Political Change in Latin America: the State, Democracy
and Social Policy." Public officials, including President Colom,
academics, journalists and foreign dignitaries discussed the role
of the left in shaping and implementing social and economic policy
in Latin America. In doing so, Colom, alongside other speakers,
acknowledged democracy, transparency and accountability as keys to
success. However, while the event featured many moderates, space
was made for far left rhetoric - some of it anti-U.S. - and Cuban
embassy officials attended. End Summary.
2. (U) The Secretary of Peace (SEPAZ),Orlando Blanco, NGOs and
academic institutions hosted a conference in Guatemala City from
October 21-23 titled "Political Change in Latin America: the State,
Democracy and Social Policy." The event focused on the role of the
left in Latin America and the implementation of public policy to
spur equality and social justice. The program featured mostly
leftist academics, politicians, technocrats and different NGO
representatives. The conference was well attended (around 200
people on the day Poloff attended),with the bulk of the crowd
comprised of students from the public University of San Carlos and
government employees from SEPAZ and the Ministry of Education.
3. (U) President Colom opened the conference and described an
intrinsic link between violence and social inequality, two issues
that plague Guatemala. Colom noted that Guatemala's extreme
inequality demanded political and economic change. He said that a
conference participant had told him "not to worry about the rates
of homicide or assault, (but rather) to worry about inequality."
Colom proclaimed that he would pursue such change peacefully and
address policy opportunities as they presented themselves. He also
touted the role of the Administration's social programs such as My
Family Progresses and Open Schools in alleviating poverty.
4. (U) Although many prominent members of Guatemala's left were
guerrilla supporters or members during the 1960-1996 civil
conflict, the modern Guatemalan leftist movement has embraced
democratic principles and conference attendees nodded in agreement
with speakers that advocated for social and economic change through
democracy. Further, the crowd offered a warm reception to comments
asserting that such change begins with transparency, accountability
and respect for human rights by the government.
5. (U) Despite the overall moderate tone of the conference, it was
evident that radical elements continue to wield some influence.
Cuban Embassy officials were lauded at the event and Cuban
academics participated. Further, some on the left still view the
United States as a threat. One academic chided the United States
for inciting the Global Financial Crisis and claimed that the
crisis has vindicated those that opposed neo-liberal economic
policies. In other speakers' remarks regarding the United States,
there was little acknowledgment of the change in the U.S.
administration and what that might mean for the inter-American
relations. Instead, the speaker described the United States as a
regional aggressor and opposed "U.S. military bases" in Colombia.
6. (SBU) Comment: The remarks by President Colom and others
indicate that some in the Guatemalan left are committed to change
through democracy and the rule of law. Indeed, Colom has staked
the success of his government on its ability to deliver economic
progress and improved social welfare for the rural poor. Until now
he has had limited success. Nevertheless, there are still links to
radical leftists, and to Latin American authoritarian governments.
However, we do not see significant grassroots support for
Chavez-style socialist populism. End comment.
Robinson