Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LAPAZ596
2009-04-21 21:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
BOLIVIAN FM: "STOP SUPPORTING THE OPPOSITION"
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000596
SIPDIS
GENEVA FOR WTO; USTR FOR BHARMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2019
TAGS: ASEC BL ECON KDEM PGOV PHUM PINR PREL ENVR
SUBJECT: BOLIVIAN FM: "STOP SUPPORTING THE OPPOSITION"
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 000596
SIPDIS
GENEVA FOR WTO; USTR FOR BHARMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2019
TAGS: ASEC BL ECON KDEM PGOV PHUM PINR PREL ENVR
SUBJECT: BOLIVIAN FM: "STOP SUPPORTING THE OPPOSITION"
Classified By: A/EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons 1.4 (b,d.)
1. (C) SUMMARY: April 20, one day after leaving the Summit of
the Americas (SOA),both Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca
and Charge to the United Nations Pablo Salon are claiming
victory after making their "demands" known to the U.S.
delegation. Salon spoke to press in Geneva about "laying down
the rules" for the U.S., which includes a framework based in
"development cooperation, drug trafficking, commerce,
political change and mutual respect." Meanwhile, FM
Choquehuanca told press in La Paz that he "demanded" of
Secretary Clinton that the U.S. cooperate only with the
Bolivian government instead of supporting the opposition. He
also claimed that the U.S. is "open to re-examining suspended
programs" such as the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and
the Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act
(ATPDEA). The programs were suspended (MCA in 2007, ATPDEA in
2008) for Bolivia after a lack of cooperation in
counternarcotics and other areas. In a reference to ATPDEA,
Choquehuanca announced that he told the U.S. "to lift the
unjust and arbitrary sanctions of President Bush." Both Salon
and Choquehuanca confirmed further meetings would take place
in May to discuss bilateral issues, including an exchange of
ambassadors. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) FM Choquehuanca gave a lengthy press conference April
20 from La Paz, giving a full rundown of his meeting with
Secretary Clinton at the SOA. He outlined the five issues
discussed: ATPDEA, MCA, international development
cooperation, terrorism and the re-establishment of
ambassadors. Choquehuanca emphasized his country's
requirements for successful bilateral relationship to include
the reinstatement of both the ATPDEA and MCA programs,
calling their suspension "unjust" and "arbitrary" and that "a
country cannot decide unilaterally what programs it will
develop." "In spite of having met all the goals, ex
President Bush unilaterally decided to cancel the program. We
hope President Obama can repair this injustice...we look for
concrete signals that these sanctions can be lifted" he said.
Choquehuanca also focused on a halt to "U.S. interference."
He confirmed they expected full cooperation from the U.S.
government and no dealings with political opposition.
3. (C) COMMENT. Using the term "sanctions" for ATPDEA
suspension garners more support for the GOB at home and
abroad, casting itself once again as a victim of
"imperialist" U.S. policy. Choquehuanca and Solon
additionally used their press conferences to cast the U.S. as
the demandeur in the bilateral relationship. END COMMENT.
URS
SIPDIS
GENEVA FOR WTO; USTR FOR BHARMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2019
TAGS: ASEC BL ECON KDEM PGOV PHUM PINR PREL ENVR
SUBJECT: BOLIVIAN FM: "STOP SUPPORTING THE OPPOSITION"
Classified By: A/EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons 1.4 (b,d.)
1. (C) SUMMARY: April 20, one day after leaving the Summit of
the Americas (SOA),both Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca
and Charge to the United Nations Pablo Salon are claiming
victory after making their "demands" known to the U.S.
delegation. Salon spoke to press in Geneva about "laying down
the rules" for the U.S., which includes a framework based in
"development cooperation, drug trafficking, commerce,
political change and mutual respect." Meanwhile, FM
Choquehuanca told press in La Paz that he "demanded" of
Secretary Clinton that the U.S. cooperate only with the
Bolivian government instead of supporting the opposition. He
also claimed that the U.S. is "open to re-examining suspended
programs" such as the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and
the Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act
(ATPDEA). The programs were suspended (MCA in 2007, ATPDEA in
2008) for Bolivia after a lack of cooperation in
counternarcotics and other areas. In a reference to ATPDEA,
Choquehuanca announced that he told the U.S. "to lift the
unjust and arbitrary sanctions of President Bush." Both Salon
and Choquehuanca confirmed further meetings would take place
in May to discuss bilateral issues, including an exchange of
ambassadors. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) FM Choquehuanca gave a lengthy press conference April
20 from La Paz, giving a full rundown of his meeting with
Secretary Clinton at the SOA. He outlined the five issues
discussed: ATPDEA, MCA, international development
cooperation, terrorism and the re-establishment of
ambassadors. Choquehuanca emphasized his country's
requirements for successful bilateral relationship to include
the reinstatement of both the ATPDEA and MCA programs,
calling their suspension "unjust" and "arbitrary" and that "a
country cannot decide unilaterally what programs it will
develop." "In spite of having met all the goals, ex
President Bush unilaterally decided to cancel the program. We
hope President Obama can repair this injustice...we look for
concrete signals that these sanctions can be lifted" he said.
Choquehuanca also focused on a halt to "U.S. interference."
He confirmed they expected full cooperation from the U.S.
government and no dealings with political opposition.
3. (C) COMMENT. Using the term "sanctions" for ATPDEA
suspension garners more support for the GOB at home and
abroad, casting itself once again as a victim of
"imperialist" U.S. policy. Choquehuanca and Solon
additionally used their press conferences to cast the U.S. as
the demandeur in the bilateral relationship. END COMMENT.
URS