MORALES SEEKS OBAMA MEETING AT UNGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001142

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR BL
SUBJECT: MORALES SEEKS OBAMA MEETING AT UNGA

REF: SECSTATE 79509

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


1. (C) Summary: Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca told CDA
James Creagan August 4 that President Evo Morales seeks a
"significant meeting" with President Obama on September 23 as
part of the UN General Assembly gathering. Choquehuanca
accepted the USG counterproposal on a bilateral framework
agreement and said the document could serve as a foundation
for the meeting between Morales and Obama. End summary.

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National Day Message Sparks Request
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2. (C) Charge d'Affaires Creagan began the meeting by
delivering to Foreign Minister Choquehuanca a letter from
President Obama congratulating President Morales on the
celebration of Bolivia's national day and affirming his
desire to strengthen the bilateral relationship (reftel).
Choquehuanca took time to read the entire letter, then nodded
his head and said, "This is very good."


3. (C) CDA Creagan then gave the Foreign Minister the USG
counterproposal on the GOB's proposed bilateral framework
agreement, which Choquehuanca accepted gratefully. Charge
explained that it was likely that the U.S. Congress' August
recess could delay the nomination of Arturo Valenzuela, which
would in turn postpone the second round of bilateral
discussions into September. Choquehuanca accepted the news
sanguinely, pointing out that "August will go quickly."


4. (C) After a pause, Choquehuanca gestured to the letter
from President Obama and said, "The President would like to
meet directly with President Obama -- not a short meeting, a
significant meeting. After meeting him in Trinidad and
Tobago, he wants to talk about important issues for perhaps
an hour at minimum." Choquehuanca said that while other
dates could be possible, President Morales would prefer to
meet on September 23 as part of the UN General Assembly.


5. (C) Choquehuanca noted that there would be a summit on
climate change issues on September 22 and major speeches on
September 24, but evinced his hope that a meeting could take
place on the 23rd. (Choquehuanca also said Morales would
play a soccer game in New York City on the 23rd, but did not
say with whom.) Charge told Choquehuanca he would convey
this message, but cautioned that there were likely already
many meetings set for that date. Choquehuanca agreed but
stressed President Morales' desire to hold the meeting.
Referring to the framework agreement counterproposal, he said
the meeting would be substantive and would touch on the same
themes, quickly ticking off bilateral cooperation,
counternarcotics, poverty alleviation, and trade. "How can
we make an alliance between an indigenous president and an
African-American president?" Choquehuanca asked rhetorically.

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Comment
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6. (C) Embassy is aware that arranging a meeting at the UNGA
between Presidents Obama and Morales may be difficult, but
notes that a potentially difficult counternarcotics
certification decision is pending September 15, as well as an
announcement that former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada
may not be extradited to Bolivia. Either or both of these
could be interpreted negatively by the GOB and scuttle
bilateral talks. On the other hand, the prospect of a
face-to-face meeting with President Obama could dovetail well
with the discussions and provide the talks a much-needed
boost. End comment.
CREAGAN