(C/NF) BOLIVIAN ELECTION PLANNING (C-AL9-01770)

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 094259 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2034 TAGS: PINR PGOV BL SUBJECT: (C/NF) BOLIVIAN ELECTION PLANNING (C-AL9-01770) REF: A. LA PAZ 000743 ¶B. LA PAZ 000436 ¶C. LA PAZ 000496 Classified By: MICHAEL P. OWENS, ACTING DIR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C). ¶1. (C/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS WELCOMED REFTEL REPORTING ON THE BILATERAL TALKS AND THE GOB,S DECISION TO SUSPEND USAID PROGRAMS. NOT SURPRISINGLY, WE ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO THE UPCOMING BOLIVIAN NATIONAL ELECTIONS, INCLUDING BOLIVIAN GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN EFFORTS, AS WELL AS OTHER PREPARATIONS INCLUDING THE BIOMETRIC VOTER REGISTRY. ANY INSIGHTS EMBASSY CAN PROVIDE ON THE QUESTIONS BELOW, AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT, WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. ¶A. (U) WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE BIOMETRIC VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESS? WHO IS CONDUCTING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS (NATIONAL ELECTORAL COURT OFFICIALS, OTHER GOB OFFICIALS, ARGENTINE COMPANY NEC?). ARE ELIGIBLE VOTERS HAVING PROBLEMS REGISTERING? WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION PROCESS? WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S TIMETABLE FOR COMPLETING THE REGISTRY? DO ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS EXPECT TO (OR HOPE TO) COMPLETE IT? ¶B. (U) DOES THE EASTERN OPPOSITION GROUP CONALDE PLAN TO SUPPORT A SINGLE OPPOSITION CANDIDATE? ARE THERE DIVISIONS OVER SUPPORTING A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE? DO CONALDE MEMBERS PLAN TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY CANDIDATE(S)? ¶C. (U) HOW IS THE NATIONAL OPPOSITION, INCLUDING PODEMOS, FARING? DOES IT HAVE AN ELECTION STRATEGY TO COUNTER MORALES'S EFFORTS IN THE EAST? ARE NATIONAL PARTIES COORDINATING WITH EACH OTHER OR WITH REGIONAL OPPOSITION LEADERS? ARE OPPOSITION PARTIES RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM SUPPORTERS? ¶D. (U) DO OPPOSITION LEADERS/GROUPS PLAN TO PROTEST OR DEMONSTRATE IF THEY SUSPECT FRAUD IN THE ELECTIONS? DO THEY HAVE PLANS TO ABSTAIN FROM VOTING, OR TO ATTEMPT FRAUD? ¶2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-01770 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. CLINTON