MIXED SIGNS ON TERROR INVESTIGATION, USG

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000611

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ODIP OFDP OPRC PGOV PREL PTER HU EI HR RO BL
SUBJECT: MIXED SIGNS ON TERROR INVESTIGATION, USG

REF: A. LA PAZ 601

B. LA PAZ 600

C. LA PAZ 596

D. LA PAZ 593


1. (SBU) During April 22 interviews to BBC Mundo and CNN
Espanol, Bolivian President Evo Morales seemingly sent mixed
messages regarding any international role in the
investigation of the April 16 operation against an alleged
terror cell in Santa Cruz in which three alleged terrorists
were killed and two were captured(reftels). Morales
similarly ran hot and cold on the USG, blasting former U.S.
Ambassador to Bolivia Philip Goldberg and the DEA while
praising President Obama and expressing hope for improved
bilateral relations.

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INVESTIGATION: WITH OR WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE?
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2. (U) When asked about the potential involvement of the
international community in the investigation in Santa Cruz,
Morales initially appeared receptive saying, "I am the first
person to ask for the presence of the international community
... we have never denied an international community presence
to investigate this type of anti-democratic group." He went
on to invite the Irish and Hungarian governments to
"investigate ... the documents, films, and photographs."
However as the interview progressed, Morales became
increasingly agitated and aggressive in his stance towards an
international role, specifically from those countries whose
nationals stand as accused conspirators. "I want to say that
the international community is fine, but these countries have
no moral authority to conduct their own investigations."
Morales added, "These authorities ... I don't think that they
have any ethics."


3. (U) When asked about the suspects killed in the Santa Cruz
fire fight, Morales questioned these governments' interest in
investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of
their citizens, targeting both the Hungarian and Irish
foreign ministers. First he commented that it was "very odd
that these government could defend these types of people," in
response to inquiries from Hungary and Ireland into the
deaths. Then he intensified the discourse by implying that
the governments themselves could have sponsored the
terrorists, "I'm not linking them (to the cell) ... but it's
suspicious. That is my worry."

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PRAISE FOR OBAMA, ATTACKS ON DEA, AMBASSADOR GOLDBERG
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4. (U) Complementing previous Morales statements this month
about the U.S. Embassy and DEA's supposed involvement in an
assassination attempt against him, Morales returned to
attacks on Ambassador Goldberg. He asserted that the
information uncovered in the investigation supported the
accusation that Ambassador Goldberg was conspiring against
his administration. "I do not regret having expelled ...
Goldberg ... it is confirmed that he conspired against the
government and against the national territory." Morales,
apparently referring to Ambassador Goldberg's previous
diplomatic experience in the Balkans, alleged Goldberg "is an
expert at dividing countries with groups from abroad, now in
Bolivia." (Note: Four of the five terror cell suspects are
of Balkan extraction. End Note.) Morales continued to make
strong accusations against the USG, while at the same time
praising President Obama and offering hope for an improved
relationship: "With the new times we expect to improve
diplomatic relations. So we have to revise our politics.
You can't conspire against us nor black mail us. But if
there's mutual respect, welcome." When asked what Bolivia's
position towards the US government is, Morales responded,
"The message has to lead to change ... I defend democracy,
the rights of the state, and legitimate governments ... all
over the world."
URS