EL ALTO MAS ASKS FOR USAID EXPULSION

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000674 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR LAC/AA D. KENNEDY-IRAHETA, E. LANDAU; LAC/SA J. LAWRENCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ECON KDEM PREL PHUM PINR ENVR BL SUBJECT: EL ALTO MAS ASKS FOR USAID EXPULSION REF: LA PAZ 658 ¶1. SUMMARY. El Alto members of President Morales' Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party verbally attacked the United States May 4, following a presentation by Venezuelan-American Eva Golinger entitled "The Interference and Subversive Strategies of the United States in Latin America during the Twentieth Century." The presentation was held in the MAS-stronghold of El Alto, where recent polls put support for President Morales at over 80 percent. According to official Bolivian government press reports, attendees at the conference were asked to vote in favor of a motion to expel the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and USAID funded-non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from the city. Doubts remain whether anything will come of the proclamation, as contacts suggest it is a political move by MAS leaders to garner support for December elections. Meanwhile, Morales himself was in the coca-growing Chapare region touting the success of his visit with former President Carter (ref) and making more promises to Chapare residents. END SUMMARY. - - - - - - - - - EL ALTO WORKSHOPS - - - - - - - - - ¶2. In additional to her presentation, Ms. Golinger gave a full interview to government-run newspaper El Cambio, who headlined that "USAID Helps Evo's Opposition." Golinger criticized U.S. policy, saying that U.S. NGOs "seek to destabilize the process of change." Golinger further accused the United States of using organizations such as USAID, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) of channeling "millions of dollars" a year to the right." Not even President Obama was safe from Golinger, who warned El Alto residents to "not diminish his interference...he's an imperialist, the head of the most powerful country in the world that is looking to reposition and reestablish its domination in this region." ¶3. (SBU) MAS officials financed Golinger's visit to Bolivia, and following the "workshop," participants denounced USAID and the U.S. government. A wide variety of Altenos attended the event, including elected officials, city leaders, and students. MAS Congressman Oscar Chirinos told press that he had sent a letter to President Morales, explaining El Alto's position and asking for the expulsion of USAID from the city. When asked about support of small producers and entrepreneurs, Chirinos said that "if an NGO is seeking to divide and persecute El Alto's development," leaders would ask for it's departure. Chirinos further said that for every 10 Bolivianos (local currency) spent by USAID, two were invested in people and eight were used to "buy off" representatives and offer "privileges" to the right. The powerful El Alto Worker Federation (COR) said it will "analyze" the decision over the weekend. Embassy contacts say that those appealing for the expulsion are looking to gain recognition from President Morales for their initiative. Many of the leaders involved have been supporters of USAID presence in the past, which suggests that the response was political posturing to a captive audience following Golinger's presentation and nothing will come of the request. - - - - - - - - - - - QUECHUA CATCHPHRASE - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. At the same time in the Chapare, another MAS base, President Morales gave a public speech to coca growers. Morales celebrated Former President Carter's visit to the country and confirmed that "as he (Morales) had visited President Carter's peanut farm, so President Carter would visit Morales' coca fields." Morales and supporters chanted in Quechua "Kausacuhum coca, wainuchum yankees" which translates to "viva la coca, death to the yankees." ¶5. Morales "thanked" the U.S. government for building the airstrip in the Chapare (at Chimore),as now Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez "has a place to land." Chimore Mayor Alejandro Perez confirmed that due to a Morales initiative, the airport at Chimore will be rebuilt so that the Chapare has "the largest international airport in the country." URS