Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LAPAZ601
2009-04-23 11:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
MORALES PRAISES OBAMA, BLASTS DEA
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UNCLAS LA PAZ 000601
SIPDIS
FOR USTR BHARMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL PHUM PINR ASEC BL
SUBJECT: MORALES PRAISES OBAMA, BLASTS DEA
REF: LA PAZ 596
UNCLAS LA PAZ 000601
SIPDIS
FOR USTR BHARMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL PHUM PINR ASEC BL
SUBJECT: MORALES PRAISES OBAMA, BLASTS DEA
REF: LA PAZ 596
1. (SBU) Bolivian President Evo Morales gave a press
conference with foreign press April 21 to express his views
on the Summit of the Americas (SOA) in terms of the
U.S.-Bolivian bilateral relationship. He highlighted his
brief encounters with President Obama at the SOA, saying that
Bolivia "saw an important signal from Obama" at the SOA,
referring to Presidents Obama's statement opposing "violent
overthrows of democratically elected governments." Morales
stated that he now "considers it possible to restore
relations if this declaration turns into real facts." Despite
the generally positive review for Obama, Morales once again
accused the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) of "covert
political operations," arguing that "without DEA, we are
better off."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
1.5 THUMBS UP FOR OBAMA
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. (SBU) President Obama apparently made a strong personal
impression on Morales. Morales said he was most impressed by
the President's "capacity to listen to all of the other
countries in the region, whatever their political
orientation." In comparison, Morales accused President Bush
of "arriving for the international meetings, giving his
speech, and leaving without listening to any other leader."
Due to the "important start" at the SOA, Morales announced
that he instructed the Foreign Ministry to convoke bilateral
meetings to improve relations. Morales hoped to create a long
term "just" trade deal that would be a "solution to the
problems faced by Bolivian exporters to the U.S." in the wake
of the Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act
(ATPDEA).
3. (SBU) Morales differed with Obama's proposition to "turn
the page" and "look to the future," instead emphasizing that
" reviewing the past is important to fix mistakes and plan
the future." He advised SOA participant countries to
"compensate" for the damages done by 500 years of
colonization.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BEATING THE DEAD DEA HORSE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4. (SBU) Morales said he wants a "shared responsibility" in
the counternarcotics battle, but that he would not accept any
form of return for DEA. Morales expelled DEA from Bolivia in
November 2008. Morales maintained that DEA was performing
"covert political operations" and accused DEA of knowing
about a large cocaine lab that Bolivian police discovered in
March 2009. He claimed DEA had to know about the lab because
the lab has been in existence for at least a year and a half.
Despite wanting a relationship with the U.S. on
counternarcotics, Morales underscored the $20M set aside by
his government for the fight and promised more support from
Brazil and the European Union.
URS
SIPDIS
FOR USTR BHARMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL PHUM PINR ASEC BL
SUBJECT: MORALES PRAISES OBAMA, BLASTS DEA
REF: LA PAZ 596
1. (SBU) Bolivian President Evo Morales gave a press
conference with foreign press April 21 to express his views
on the Summit of the Americas (SOA) in terms of the
U.S.-Bolivian bilateral relationship. He highlighted his
brief encounters with President Obama at the SOA, saying that
Bolivia "saw an important signal from Obama" at the SOA,
referring to Presidents Obama's statement opposing "violent
overthrows of democratically elected governments." Morales
stated that he now "considers it possible to restore
relations if this declaration turns into real facts." Despite
the generally positive review for Obama, Morales once again
accused the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) of "covert
political operations," arguing that "without DEA, we are
better off."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
1.5 THUMBS UP FOR OBAMA
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. (SBU) President Obama apparently made a strong personal
impression on Morales. Morales said he was most impressed by
the President's "capacity to listen to all of the other
countries in the region, whatever their political
orientation." In comparison, Morales accused President Bush
of "arriving for the international meetings, giving his
speech, and leaving without listening to any other leader."
Due to the "important start" at the SOA, Morales announced
that he instructed the Foreign Ministry to convoke bilateral
meetings to improve relations. Morales hoped to create a long
term "just" trade deal that would be a "solution to the
problems faced by Bolivian exporters to the U.S." in the wake
of the Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act
(ATPDEA).
3. (SBU) Morales differed with Obama's proposition to "turn
the page" and "look to the future," instead emphasizing that
" reviewing the past is important to fix mistakes and plan
the future." He advised SOA participant countries to
"compensate" for the damages done by 500 years of
colonization.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BEATING THE DEAD DEA HORSE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4. (SBU) Morales said he wants a "shared responsibility" in
the counternarcotics battle, but that he would not accept any
form of return for DEA. Morales expelled DEA from Bolivia in
November 2008. Morales maintained that DEA was performing
"covert political operations" and accused DEA of knowing
about a large cocaine lab that Bolivian police discovered in
March 2009. He claimed DEA had to know about the lab because
the lab has been in existence for at least a year and a half.
Despite wanting a relationship with the U.S. on
counternarcotics, Morales underscored the $20M set aside by
his government for the fight and promised more support from
Brazil and the European Union.
URS