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. -------------- -------------- INVESTIGATION: WITH OR WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE? -------------- -------------- ¶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." -------------- -------------- PRAISE FOR OBAMA, ATTACKS ON DEA, AMBASSADOR GOLDBERG -------------- -------------- ¶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