GOB DELAYS, DENIES ISSUANCE OF OFFICIAL VISAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000981

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR OFDP OTRABL
SUBJECT: GOB DELAYS, DENIES ISSUANCE OF OFFICIAL VISAS

Classified By: A/EcoPol Chief Holly Monster for reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) Summary: Since September 2008, the Bolivian government
has increasingly delayed, and in some cases denied, issuance
of official visas to incoming USG personnel. While the
majority of visa requests are still granted without
significant delay, a higher percentage of applications than
normal (and those of military personnel especially) appear to
be undergoing more scrutiny than usual. The information in
this cable, while incomplete, provides a record of issuance
delays and denials from post's Marine Security Guard
detachment, SouthCom, USAID, diplomatic couriers, and State.
Some reports indicate the Bolivian Consul has said visas must
be approved by authorities in La Paz prior to issuance, which
may partially account for the delays. End summary.

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Marine Security Guard Detachment: Delays
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2. (C) On January 14, Marine Security Guard Captain Aaron
Awtry requested a visa from the Miami Bolivian Consulate for
a TDY to perform an inspection scheduled for February. He
received the visa in the first week of April.


3. (C) On December 9, 2008, Marine Security Guard Regional
Commander John Yanvary and First Sergeant Leslie Thomas
applied for visas at the Bolivian Consulate in Miami for a
TDY to perform an inspection scheduled for December 2008.
First Sergeant Thomas retired before receiving the visa,
while Commander Yanvary received his visa in the first week
of May.

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SouthCom: Delay and Denial
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4. (C) On February 23, CDR Michael Cheetham applied for a
visa at the Bolivian Embassy in WDC. The visa was rejected
on March 10.


5. (C) On February 9, Mr. Charles Koutras, a civilian from
the Army Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, applied for a
visa at the Bolivian Embassy in WDC, but neglected to include
the appropriate visa application. On February 13 he provided
the correct application via fax. On February 20, in response
to a request from the Bolivian Consul, he provided a copy of
his itinerary. He received the visa on March 6.


6. (C) On January 6, SOUTHCOM analyst Matthew Whalen applied
for a visa from the Bolivian Consulate in Miami for a trip
scheduled to start on January 18. The individual received a
visa and was able to travel on January 20. The Bolivian
Consul in Miami informed the individual that all visa
requests from US SOUTHCOM had to be approved by the Bolivian
MFA.


7. (C) In October 2008, two technicians, (Dan Borales and
Jaime Ruiz) applications for visas at the Bolivian Consulate
in Miami were delayed and eventually withdrawn.


8. (C) A follow-on SOUTHCOM NEO team of between 10 and 13
individuals, all military, applied for visas in September
2008 at the Bolivian Consulate in Miami; these requests were
denied immediately. A note was sent from the front office to
the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the group
was instructed by the MFA to reapply and the MFA provided
assurances that the visas would be granted. The group
reapplied, again in September at the Miami Bolivian
Consulate, and was denied a second time, again immediately.

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USAID: Delay and Denial
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9. (C) On January 15 a USAID official, T. David Johnston
applied for a visa from the Bolivian Embassy in WDC. On
January 16, the Bolivian Embassy requested additional
information, which was sent by fax. On February 2 the USAID
office was informed that the Bolivian Consul was still
waiting for instructions from La Paz. On February 6, the
Bolivian Consul in WDC informed the individual seeking the
visa that he was unable to provide a visa without the
approval of Vice Chancellor Hugo Fernandez at the MFA. The
MFA faxed a diplomatic note to the US Embassy in La Paz
denying the visa on February 6. The explanation provided by
the MFA via diplomatic note on February 12 was that they were
concerned about this visit because the visa application noted
that the purpose of the TDY was to review &strategic8
issues, the MFA noted that this needed to be coordinated with
the GOB as USAID programs were under review by the GOB.
USAID officials responded via diplomatic note on February 17
to point out that this exercise had been fully vetted at GOB
technical levels. Subsequently the Charg, DCM and USAID
director met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugo
Fernandez to clarify this issue, and the visa was issued.


10. (C) On June 12, the Bolivian Embassy in WDC told the
USAID Travel Office that they could not approve a visa for
incoming Acting USAID Mission Director Kermit Moh until they
received orders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mission Director Peter Natiello spoke with Vice Minister Hugo
Fernandez, who in turn coordinated issuance of the visa.

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State: Delays
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11. (C) On January 21, COMSEC auditor Michael D. Larson,
applied for an official visa. After some delays, the
individual called the Bolivian Embassy in Washington DC and
was told that they were waiting for instructions from La Paz.
On January 29 this individual cancelled his application and
cancelled his scheduled trip to Bolivia.


12. (C) On January 15, four individuals applied for officials
visas at the Bolivian Embassy in WDC: Donald E. Messick, Paul
McIndoe, Jeffrey Knight and Ramiro Rodriguez. These visas
were granted in the first week of February, but too late for
the individuals to travel as planned.


13. (C) On December 22, 2008, Laura Truitt applied for an
official visa at the Bolivian Embassy in WDC. Ms. Truitt
received her visa on January 22. On December 15, 2008, Annie
Trenton applied for an official visa at the Bolivian Embassy
in WDC. Ms. Trenton received her visa on January 22. On
December 11, 2008, Randy Cruz applied for an official visa at
the Bolivian Embassy in WDC. Mr. Cruz received his visa on
January 16. On December 8, 2008, Kevin Walton applied for an
official visa at the Bolivian Embassy in WDC. Mr. Walton
received his visa on January 26.


14. (C) On May 7, intern Michelle Morales called the Bolivian
Consulate in New York City to confirm requirements for a
specific-purpose visa to complete an 11-week internship at
Embassy La Paz. She was told the visa would not be issued
without an original notarized letter from the Embassy
explaining the purpose of her trip. This conflicted with
previous correspondence in which she was told that a letter
of invitation from main State in WDC would be acceptable.
Post contacted the MFA, which confirmed that a letter from
WDC would be sufficient to obtain a visa. The officer at the
Bolivian Consulate in New York refused to accept this
information. As a result Ms. Morales traveled to the
Bolivian Embassy in WDC at her own expense to obtain her
visa, which she received within a day.

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Diplomatic Couriers: Delays
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15. (C) On December 18, 2008, a visa was requested for
diplomatic courier Mark Sherwood from the Bolivian Embassy in
Washington DC. On January 21, the diplomatic couriers,
office received approvals for this visa, and for two
additional (and not delayed) applications, each for one year,
in place of the customary 90 days.
CREAGAN