Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LAPAZ31
2009-01-08 14:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
USAID AND GOB AGREEMENT ON CHAPARE PHASE OUT
how-toVZCZCXRO2297 PP RUEHLMC DE RUEHLP #0031 0081432 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 081432Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9660 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 8705 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 6065 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0028 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 7250 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 4296 RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0303 RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 0920 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 4629 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 6056 RUEHPO/AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO 0570 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 6913 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 1691 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 1581 RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000031
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2019
TAGS: BL EAGR ECON ELAB PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SENV
SNAR
SUBJECT: USAID AND GOB AGREEMENT ON CHAPARE PHASE OUT
Classified By: A/EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000031
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2019
TAGS: BL EAGR ECON ELAB PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SENV
SNAR
SUBJECT: USAID AND GOB AGREEMENT ON CHAPARE PHASE OUT
Classified By: A/EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) USAID-Bolivia and the Vice Ministers of Social
Defense Felipe Caceres and Coca/Integrated Development
Geronimo Meneces Mollo have signed an agreement for the
orderly phase-out of USAID's work in the Chapare. In the
agreement the Government of Bolivia agrees to provide the
necessary security to allow USAID to finish ongoing projects
in the Tropic of Cochabamba. The bulk of USAID's projects
will be completed by June. Vice Minister Caceres told USAID
he had President Evo Morales blessing to sign the agreement.
2. (C) USAID had pulled out of the Chapare area in June 2008
after receiving threats from the local cocaleros (coca-leaf
growers). President Evo Morales at that time publicly
congratulated the cocaleros for expelling USAID and in an
orchestrated ceremony declared the Chapare region
"imperialist free." USAID and the Embassy had repeatedly
told different government representatives that it was in
everyone's best interest to have an orderly phase-out in
order to finish incomplete projects. After nearly half a
year of trying, this new agreement allows USAID to do just
that. USAID is also working with the Bolivian government to
move forward with a package of Yungas area projects (the
Yungas being Bolivia's largest coca producing region, rough
in terrain and still relatively less developed).
3. (SBU) In other developments, USAID is also cooperating
with the Vice Ministry of Decentralization (VMD) and the
Federation of Municipal Association (FAM) to articulate a
Steering Committee for the new USAID Municipal Strengthening
Activity (MSA). The Steering Committee will have approval
authority for annual work plans, major acquisitions and for
the selection of partner municipalities, among other key
project authorities. Minister of Planning Carlos Villegas
also participated directly in the establishment of the
Steering Committee. The Bolivians view this as a pilot
project and may seek to apply this model to other foreign
assistance projects in the future.
4. (C) Comment: Several factors may have contributed to the
Government of Bolivia signing this agreement including the
realization that it is in their best interest to have these
projects finished, falling oil prices and the resulting tax
revenue decreases, and less financial support from Venezuela
as a result of the global economic crisis among others.
While it is prudent not to read too much into this agreement,
it is good news, and combined with the recent meetings with
the Minister of Planning may indicate there is a ray of light
coming from within the GOB. End comment.
LAMBERT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2019
TAGS: BL EAGR ECON ELAB PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SENV
SNAR
SUBJECT: USAID AND GOB AGREEMENT ON CHAPARE PHASE OUT
Classified By: A/EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) USAID-Bolivia and the Vice Ministers of Social
Defense Felipe Caceres and Coca/Integrated Development
Geronimo Meneces Mollo have signed an agreement for the
orderly phase-out of USAID's work in the Chapare. In the
agreement the Government of Bolivia agrees to provide the
necessary security to allow USAID to finish ongoing projects
in the Tropic of Cochabamba. The bulk of USAID's projects
will be completed by June. Vice Minister Caceres told USAID
he had President Evo Morales blessing to sign the agreement.
2. (C) USAID had pulled out of the Chapare area in June 2008
after receiving threats from the local cocaleros (coca-leaf
growers). President Evo Morales at that time publicly
congratulated the cocaleros for expelling USAID and in an
orchestrated ceremony declared the Chapare region
"imperialist free." USAID and the Embassy had repeatedly
told different government representatives that it was in
everyone's best interest to have an orderly phase-out in
order to finish incomplete projects. After nearly half a
year of trying, this new agreement allows USAID to do just
that. USAID is also working with the Bolivian government to
move forward with a package of Yungas area projects (the
Yungas being Bolivia's largest coca producing region, rough
in terrain and still relatively less developed).
3. (SBU) In other developments, USAID is also cooperating
with the Vice Ministry of Decentralization (VMD) and the
Federation of Municipal Association (FAM) to articulate a
Steering Committee for the new USAID Municipal Strengthening
Activity (MSA). The Steering Committee will have approval
authority for annual work plans, major acquisitions and for
the selection of partner municipalities, among other key
project authorities. Minister of Planning Carlos Villegas
also participated directly in the establishment of the
Steering Committee. The Bolivians view this as a pilot
project and may seek to apply this model to other foreign
assistance projects in the future.
4. (C) Comment: Several factors may have contributed to the
Government of Bolivia signing this agreement including the
realization that it is in their best interest to have these
projects finished, falling oil prices and the resulting tax
revenue decreases, and less financial support from Venezuela
as a result of the global economic crisis among others.
While it is prudent not to read too much into this agreement,
it is good news, and combined with the recent meetings with
the Minister of Planning may indicate there is a ray of light
coming from within the GOB. End comment.
LAMBERT