Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LAPAZ1062
2009-07-22 15:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:  

USAID SUSPENSION: DIPLOMATIC NOTE

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM PINR EAID OPDC BL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #1062/01 2031524
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 221524Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1314
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001062 

SIPDIS

WHA/AND FOR KEVIN WHITAKER, BARBARA ROCHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR EAID OPDC BL
SUBJECT: USAID SUSPENSION: DIPLOMATIC NOTE

REF: A. LA PAZ 1027

B. LA PAZ 1043

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James Creagan for reasons 1.4 (b, d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001062

SIPDIS

WHA/AND FOR KEVIN WHITAKER, BARBARA ROCHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR EAID OPDC BL
SUBJECT: USAID SUSPENSION: DIPLOMATIC NOTE

REF: A. LA PAZ 1027

B. LA PAZ 1043

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James Creagan for reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (SBU) This is an action request. See paragraph 3.


2. (C) As per reftel A, Embassy has prepared a draft
diplomatic note to be delivered to the GOB Ministry of
Foreign Affairs regarding Planning Minister Noel Aguirre's
request to Charge Creagan on July 9 to suspend all USAID
Democracy and Governance programming effective July 15.
Proposed text follows in paragraph 4. Charge expects to talk
again with Foreign Minister Choquehuanca on July 22,
following the GOB's cabinet meeting.


3. (SBU) Action request: Please review and clear the proposed
text, which Embassy will be pleased to translate into Spanish
and deliver as a diplomatic note.


4. (SBU) Begin draft text:

The Embassy of the United States of America presents
its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Worship of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and has the
honor to refer to the attached letter from the Minister of
Planning and Development, Lic. Noel Aguirre, to John
Niemeyer, Acting Director, USAID/Bolivia, dated July 9, 2009.

This letter, which was delivered in person by Minister
Aguirre at a July 9 meeting with Charge d,Affaires James F.
Creagan, states that USAID programs in the democracy sector
shall remain "without effect," as of July 15, 2009. The
letter also requests detailed information on all USAID
assistance programming in Bolivia.

In accordance with the letter, USAID has instructed its
implementing partners in the democracy and governance sector
to suspend public events, trainings, and other related
activities effective July 15, 2009.

The Embassy of the United States notes many of these programs
were specifically requested by, or coordinated with, the
Government of Bolivia. As examples, the Integrated Justice
Centers represent a large portion of the democracy programs.
The Ministry of Justice specifically requested that USAID

support these centers. That was done. An upcoming municipal
strengthening activity was planned and coordinated with the
Federation of Municipal Associations (FAM) and would involve
infrastructure and other projects. USAID assistance in
election monitoring and support was recently requested by the
National Election Court.

Suspension of ongoing USAID programs like those above
incurs considerable administrative costs that will diminish
the programs, effectiveness and achievements, and could have
budgetary implications for other USAID programs in Bolivia.
The Embassy of the United States would like to stress
that USAID assistance is provided by the Government of the
United States and funded by its citizens. It is subject to
the sovereignty of the Government of Bolivia and bilateral
agreements between our countries. The United States
Government seeks to coordinate bilaterally on the content and
direction of USAID,s assistance programs in Bolivia, as
provided for in the Point Four General Agreement for
Technical Cooperation Between the United States of America
and Bolivia (dated March 14, 1951, signed and effective upon
signature according to terms). We hope to avoid unilateral
decisions such as the one reflected in Minister Aguirre,s
July 9th letter, in order that USAID programs can be ongoing
in a way that best meets the goals of the Government of
Bolivia.

The Embassy of the United States respectfully requests
that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship communicate
to the Embassy concerning which, if any, of the affected
USAID democracy sector programs the Government of Bolivia
would like to see continued. USAID is prepared, as always,
to provide a program-by-program review of the USAID portfolio
in Bolivia and to mutually agree upon programs and activities
requiring further implementation. The Embassy of the United
States looks forward to the negotiation and signature of
bilateral grant agreements between the United States and
Bolivia, in advance of September 30, 2009, in order to comply
with United States Congressional requirements to sign such
agreements by that date. The Embassy of the United States
looks forward as well to consultations with the Government of
the Plurinational State of Bolivia concerning the
implementation of United States assistance programs in
Bolivia, as required by bilateral agreements between our
governments and in the spirit of friendship and cooperation
that underlies such assistance programs. Consultations,
including decisions on termination or reactivation of the
USAID programs in the democracy sector could take place at
the upcoming Washington meetings regarding an "Acuerdo Marco."

The Embassy of the United States of America avails
itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Plurinational State of
Bolivia the assurance of its highest consideration.

Embassy of the United States of America
La Paz, July 22, 2009

End draft text.
CREAGAN