(U) GOVERNMENT RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMS

S E C R E T STATE 087251 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2034 TAGS: PINR PGOV BL SUBJECT: (U) GOVERNMENT RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMS (C-AL9-01687) REF: LA PAZ 000232 Classified By: MICHAEL P. OWENS, ACTING DIR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C). ¶1. (C/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THE MORALES ADMINISTRATION'S CURRENT RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM IN PANDO, BENI, AND POSSIBLY OTHER OPPOSITION DEPARTMENTS. WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY FURTHER REPORTING TO ILLUMINATE THE CURRENT SITUATION, INCLUDING THE INTENTIONS OF THE OPPOSITION AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE LANDS THE BOLIVIAN GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GIVE THE RESETTLERS. WE WOULD VALUE POST'S INPUT ON THE QUESTIONS BELOW, AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT. MANY THANKS. ¶A. (C) WE HAVE SEEN PRESS REPORTING STATING THAT THE GOVERNMENT MAY BE TRYING TO SEND WESTERNERS TO RESETTLE ON PROPERTIES IN PANDO, BENI, AND SANTA CRUZ. ARE ANY OF THE PROPERTIES PRIVATE? IF SO, ARE THEY HELD BY SMALL OR LARGE LANDOWNERS? HAVE ANY OF THE PROPERTIES BEEN EXPROPRIATED BY THE GOVERNMENT, POSSIBLY IN LAST YEAR'S PURPORTED LAND GRAB (AS REFERENCED IN LA PAZ 000232)? ¶B. (S/NF) DOES THE GOVERNMENT INTEND TO USE THE CIVILIAN RESETTLEMENT -- AND ADDITIONAL MILITARY TROOP DEPLOYMENTS -- TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS? IS THE RESETTLEMENT DESIGNED TO INTIMIDATE THE OPPOSITION OR POSSIBLY TO PROVOKE VIOLENCE? ¶C. (S/NF) DO CONALCAM OR OTHER PRO-GOVERNMENT GROUPS PLAN TO TRAVEL TO PANDO TO ENFORCE THE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM? IF SO, WHEN? HOW MANY GROUPS WOULD PARTICIPATE? ¶D. (S/NF) IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT MORALES IS SENDING THE CONALCAM OR OTHER PROGOVERNMENT GROUPS TO TRY TO PROVOKE CONFRONTATIONS OR INTIMIDATE THE OPPOSITION? ¶E. (S/NF) WHAT ARE THE OPPOSITION'S PLANS--IF ANY--TO COUNTER THE ADMINISTRATION'S PLANS TO RESETTLE GOVERNMENT SYMPATHIZERS IN THE PANDO AND BENI REGION? ¶F. (S/NF) HOW PREPARED IS THE OPPOSITION TO USE VIOLENCE, IF AT ALL? IS THE OPPOSITION INTIMIDATED BY THE INCREASING MILITARY PRESENCE? DO THEY HAVE ANY PLANS TO COUNTER THE GOVERNMENT SECURITY FORCES FOR DEFENSIVE OR OFFENSIVE PURPOSES? DO THEY HAVE ANY MANPOWER AND/OR EQUIPMENT TO DO SO? ¶G. (C) WHAT SORT OF LEGAL RECOURSE WOULD THE OPPOSITION HAVE AGAINST THE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM? ¶H. (C) HOW UNITED IS THE OPPOSITION? ARE PREFECTS, CIVIC LEADERS, AND/OR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES ORGANIZING THEIR EFFORTS AGAINST THE RESETTLEMENT EFFORTS? ¶2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-01687 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. CLINTON