Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LAPAZ1183
2009-08-14 18:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
MANY ACCUSATIONS, LITTLE PROOF OF BOMB MOTIVES
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001183
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC PTER BL
SUBJECT: MANY ACCUSATIONS, LITTLE PROOF OF BOMB MOTIVES
REF: A. LA PAZ 1170
B. LA PAZ 1180
C. 08 LA PAZ 374
D. 06 LA PAZ 810
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires John Creamer, reasons 1.4b,d
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001183
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC PTER BL
SUBJECT: MANY ACCUSATIONS, LITTLE PROOF OF BOMB MOTIVES
REF: A. LA PAZ 1170
B. LA PAZ 1180
C. 08 LA PAZ 374
D. 06 LA PAZ 810
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires John Creamer, reasons 1.4b,d
1. (C) Summary: Although the Bolivian National Police have
not yet established a motive in the August 12 letter-bomb
explosions in La Paz (Refs A and B),President Evo Morales
has nevertheless cast a wide net in accusing the political
opposition, former military officials, and unnamed Peruvians
"trained abroad" of being involved. Morales recalled past
perceived U.S. plots against him, but has so far stopped
short of accusing the USG of being behind or otherwise
directly connected with the explosions. The Embassy joined
with the Catholic Church and the UN in making public
statements condemning the bombings. End summary.
Morales Blames a Host of Enemies
--------------
2. (SBU) The day after the explosions, President Morales
called a press conference to blame, variously, the neoliberal
right-wing political opposition, Peruvian mercenaries and
ex-military officers for the attacks, suggesting that a
campaign of pre-electoral violence has been begun by his
enemies. In the course of his remarks, Morales recalled many
threats, attacks and offenses against him since the 1980s,
many attributed to the USG or U.S. citizens (including a 2006
bombing by a mentally unstable Amcit -- Ref D -- and the 2007
importation of ammunition by an Amcit that Morales charged
would be used to "hunt" him, Ref C). Morales had suffered
accusations of being a terrorist, he declared, but "now the
country can judge who are the real terrorists."
3. (SBU) Rather than blame the United States directly,
however, Morales said the political opposition was behind the
bombings, with the aim of "paralyzing" the December 2009
election campaign after concluding that they could not form a
block powerful enough to defeat him democratically. Morales
also said "certain ex-commanders" of the army were working
with the political opposition, using Peruvian mercenaries
with "sophisticated arms" to carry out the attacks. Morales
declined to offer any proof or further details, nor mention
any names, saying he did not want to detail the goals of the
ongoing investigation.
Embassy Statement
--------------
4. (SBU) La Paz media reported the U.S. Embassy's statement,
noting that we lamented the attacks, offered condolences to
the victims and expressed confidence that authorities will
bring those responisble to justice. The Catholic Church and
the UN also released statements condemning the bombings.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) Whatever information President Morales may have about
who is behind the letter-bombings, his initial statements
suggest that he is using the incidents to attack his
political rivals and bolster his image as the target of
Bolivia's enemies. Despite his references to supposed
earlier plots against him by the United States, Morales has
-- so far -- refrained from specifically linking the Embassy
or or otherwise implying direct USG involvement in the
bombings.
CREAMER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC PTER BL
SUBJECT: MANY ACCUSATIONS, LITTLE PROOF OF BOMB MOTIVES
REF: A. LA PAZ 1170
B. LA PAZ 1180
C. 08 LA PAZ 374
D. 06 LA PAZ 810
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires John Creamer, reasons 1.4b,d
1. (C) Summary: Although the Bolivian National Police have
not yet established a motive in the August 12 letter-bomb
explosions in La Paz (Refs A and B),President Evo Morales
has nevertheless cast a wide net in accusing the political
opposition, former military officials, and unnamed Peruvians
"trained abroad" of being involved. Morales recalled past
perceived U.S. plots against him, but has so far stopped
short of accusing the USG of being behind or otherwise
directly connected with the explosions. The Embassy joined
with the Catholic Church and the UN in making public
statements condemning the bombings. End summary.
Morales Blames a Host of Enemies
--------------
2. (SBU) The day after the explosions, President Morales
called a press conference to blame, variously, the neoliberal
right-wing political opposition, Peruvian mercenaries and
ex-military officers for the attacks, suggesting that a
campaign of pre-electoral violence has been begun by his
enemies. In the course of his remarks, Morales recalled many
threats, attacks and offenses against him since the 1980s,
many attributed to the USG or U.S. citizens (including a 2006
bombing by a mentally unstable Amcit -- Ref D -- and the 2007
importation of ammunition by an Amcit that Morales charged
would be used to "hunt" him, Ref C). Morales had suffered
accusations of being a terrorist, he declared, but "now the
country can judge who are the real terrorists."
3. (SBU) Rather than blame the United States directly,
however, Morales said the political opposition was behind the
bombings, with the aim of "paralyzing" the December 2009
election campaign after concluding that they could not form a
block powerful enough to defeat him democratically. Morales
also said "certain ex-commanders" of the army were working
with the political opposition, using Peruvian mercenaries
with "sophisticated arms" to carry out the attacks. Morales
declined to offer any proof or further details, nor mention
any names, saying he did not want to detail the goals of the
ongoing investigation.
Embassy Statement
--------------
4. (SBU) La Paz media reported the U.S. Embassy's statement,
noting that we lamented the attacks, offered condolences to
the victims and expressed confidence that authorities will
bring those responisble to justice. The Catholic Church and
the UN also released statements condemning the bombings.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) Whatever information President Morales may have about
who is behind the letter-bombings, his initial statements
suggest that he is using the incidents to attack his
political rivals and bolster his image as the target of
Bolivia's enemies. Despite his references to supposed
earlier plots against him by the United States, Morales has
-- so far -- refrained from specifically linking the Embassy
or or otherwise implying direct USG involvement in the
bombings.
CREAMER