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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04BRASILIA3100 |
DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVSIOR SHIRZAD'S NOV, [...] (C) SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION. At a November 22 dinner for visiting Deputy National Security Advisor Faryar Shirzad and NSC Director Del Renigar, senior executives of key Brazilian and multinational companies questioned Brazil's continued membership in Mercosur (in its current configuration [...] |
2004-12-17 18:39:00 | Embassy Brasilia | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD ECIN EINV BR BL AR |
| 04BRUSSELS4677 |
DRUGS TROIKA DISCUSSES EU DRUGS STRATEGY, [...] (U) Summary. The annual U.S.-EU Drugs Troika was held October 25 in Brussels. INL DAS Jonathan Farrar had wide-ranging discussions on trends in cocaine, heroin and synthetics production and trafficking. The USAID Office Director of South America Affairs gave a detailed presentation on U.S. [...] |
2004-10-29 13:46:00 | Embassy Brussels | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AF BL CO EU KCRM SNAR XM EUN USEU BRUSSELS |
| 04BRUSSELS4951 |
EU ON BELARUS PARTICIPATION AT CEI SUMMIT [...] (C) We presented reftel demarche to Commission and Council officials on 17 November, asking their support in pressing the Government of Slovenia to rescind its invitation of a senior Belarus government official to the November 24-26 Central European Initiative (CEI) Summit hosted by Slovenia. [...] |
2004-11-19 16:32:00 | Embassy Brussels | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL BL EUN USEU BRUSSELS |
| 04LAPAZ2814 |
PRESIDENT MESA AND CONGRESS TO WORK TOGETHER ON [...] (C) Summary: The Chamber of Deputies' Economic Development Committee has proposed nullifying all of the contracts signed under the current (soon-to-be-invalid) hydrocarbons law. This follows three days of intense meetings in the MAS/NFR-led committee. Minister of Economic Development and h [...] |
2004-09-03 20:13:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ECON SOCI EFIN EINV ENRG PGOV PREL BL |
| 04SAOPAULO493 |
SPECIAL ENVOY REICH'S MEETING WITH JOSE DIRCEU [...] (C) SUMMARY. White House Special Envoy for the Western Hemisphere Otto Reich met with President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva's Chief of Staff Jose Dirceu on Sunday, March 21 at a private residence in Sao Paulo. During the course of the relaxed and open 90-minute conversation, the two touched o [...] |
2004-03-26 12:12:00 | Consulate Sao Paulo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CO BL CU VE BR UNHCR US |
| 04THEHAGUE22 |
DUTCH COMMENTS ON BOLIVIA SUPPORT GROUP [...] EconOff delivered ref demarche on January 5 to Jan Plantingha of the MFA's Western Hemisphere Division (Note: MFA was closed week of December 29, 2003. End Note). Plantingha said the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Washington had received the invitation/agenda to the Bolivia Support Group. [...] |
2004-01-07 13:49:00 | Embassy The Hague | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | BL EFIN NL PGOV PREL |
| 05ATHENS776 |
INFORMATION FOR CONGRESSIONAL REPORT ON EUROPEAN [...] No summary [...] |
2005-03-18 14:54:00 | Embassy Athens | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAID PREL CO EC PE BL VE GR |
| 05BOGOTA6891 |
SERPA ON 2006 ELECTIONS, BILATERAL RELATIONS, AND [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador and Liberal Party Presidential nominee hopeful Horacio Serpa discussed national politics at breakfast on July 12. Serpa said under a reelection scenario, President Uribe would win easily. He hoped for a grand left/center-left coalition against Uribe in the first rou [...] |
2005-07-22 20:38:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR CO VE BL |
| 05BRASILIA1549 |
BRAZIL: LULA ENVOY AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS BOLIVIA [...] (C) Introduction: Ambassador and PolCounselor met on 8 June at the residence for a private lunch with President Lula da Silva's Foreign Affairs Advisor, Marco Aurelio Garcia and his deputy, Marcel Biato. Garcia has traveled repeatedly as Lula's "fireman" to Venezuela (he speaks by phone and m [...] |
2005-06-08 21:15:00 | Embassy Brasilia | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL BR BL |
| 05BRATISLAVA212 |
SLOVAKIA: INFORMATION FOR CONGRESSIONAL REPORT ON [...] The Director of the Department for Official Development Assistance at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peter Hulenyi, reports that the GOS does not currently give any bilateral contributions to the Andean region. Latin America is not considered a priority by the GOS, and Hulenyi does not anti [...] |
2005-03-15 06:02:00 | Embassy Bratislava | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAID PREL CO EC PE BL VE LO EUN |
| 05BRUSSELS4172 |
PDAS SHAPIRO FOCUSES ON ANDEAN REGION WITH EU [...] (C) SUMMARY: WHA PDAS Charles Shapiro's November 15 discussions with EU officials focused principally on Venezuela, Colombia and Bolivia. On Venezuela, the European Commission (EC) acknowledged that the EU observation mission to the December elections would have to take care not to be seen as [...] |
2005-11-23 16:12:00 | Embassy Brussels | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM EAID VE CO BL EUN USEU BRUSSELS |
| 05DUBLIN1306 |
IRELAND SUPPORTS EU'S BOLIVIA STATEMENT [...] No summary [...] |
2005-10-24 13:32:00 | Embassy Dublin | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV BL EI |
| 05LAPAZ3518 |
VENEZUELA OVERSTEPS IN PRESIDENTIAL RACE [...] Summary: In a diplomatic stumble, Venezuelan Charge d'Affairs Rafael Valero hailed Evo Morales as the anti-imperialist candidate and criticized Podemos rival Tuto Qurioga as the puppet of multinationals and the U.S. in a press conference on November 23. Public reaction to Venezuelan "interf [...] |
2005-11-25 21:32:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 05LIMA2571 |
ANDEAN COMMUNITY ISSUES STATEMENT SUPPORTING [...] (U) Acting in his capacity as President of the Andean Community Council, Foreign Minister Manuel Rodriguez issued a statement on 6/7 expressing support for constitutional norms and democratic institutions in Bolivia. Embassy's informal translation of the statement follows: (begin text) A [...] |
2005-06-08 19:59:00 | Embassy Lima | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PE BL |
| 05MADRID1063 |
SPAIN'S AID PROGRAM IN ANDEAN REGION [...] Econoff met March 13 with Spanish Agency for International Development (AECI) officials in the Subdirectorate General for South America to answer reftel questions. Our contacts noted that Andean countries have been priorities for Spanish Aid for several years, and that most Andean countries wi [...] |
2005-03-17 16:51:00 | Embassy Madrid | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAID PREL CO ECIN PE BL VE SP EUN |
| 05MADRID1761 |
SPAIN: RESPONSE TO BOLIVIA HYDROCARBON LEGISLATION [...] No summary [...] |
2005-05-09 16:12:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EPET ENRG PREL BL SP |
| 05MADRID3681 |
SPAIN SUPPORTS BOLIVIA SUPPORT GROUP DECLARATION [...] No summary [...] |
2005-10-20 15:57:00 | Embassy Madrid | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL BL SP |
| 05PARIS7352 |
FRENCH MFA READOUT ON CHAVEZ VISIT, COLOMBIA, AND [...] (C) Summary: MFA DAS-equivalent for South America provided a frank and unapologetic readout October 24 of French policy toward Venezuela and the recent visit of President Chavez. The MFA highlighted France's economic interests in Venezuela, downplayed concerns about human rights, regional st [...] |
2005-10-27 11:12:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV FR VE BL CO |
| 05ROME3669 |
ITALY DEFERS TO EU ON ALEMAN, BOLIVIA SUPPORT GROUP [...] (C) Summary. Italy will defer to EU policies on denying safe haven to Jose Aleman (reftel A), and endorsing the Bolivia Support Group message (reftel B), according to MFA officials. Italy shares U.S. concerns about the political developments in Nicaragua, but is encouraged by what it sees as [...] |
2005-11-03 16:17:00 | Embassy Rome | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCRM BL IT EUN |
| 05SANTIAGO2597 |
MEDIA REACTION - BOLIVIA [...] No summary [...] |
2005-12-29 19:27:00 | Embassy Santiago | UNCLASSIFIED | OPRC KMDR KPAO CI BL |
| 05THEHAGUE3206 |
NETHERLANDS/BOLIVIA: DUTCH MAY CONSIDER SENDING [...] (SBU) The Netherlands is receptive to the Bolivian government's call for bilateral assistance to the Organization of American States (OAS) mission to monitor the December 18 general elections. The Netherlands has provided US$100,000 to the mission and has pushed for EU support of the mission. [...] |
2005-11-30 17:44:00 | Embassy The Hague | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL NL BL |
| 05VIENNA796 |
AUSTRIAN ASSISTANCE TO ANDEAN REGION [...] The GOA focuses its public development assistance (ODA) projects on certain "priority and cooperation countries." None of the Andean states are in this category. Consequently, bilateral projects in the Andean region only accounted for a tiny fraction (0.4%) of Austria's total ODA, which amoun [...] |
2005-03-11 07:47:00 | Embassy Vienna | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PREL CO EC PE BL VE AU EUN |
| 06ASUNCION162 |
PARAGUAY: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH VP CASTIGLIONI [...] (C) During the Ambassador,s February 6 introductory call on Vice President Castiglioni, the VP was eager to establish a productive relationship. Castiglioni raised the election of Evo Morales in Bolivia and said that Bolivia,s future is a source of concern given its proximity and the possibili [...] |
2006-02-14 14:20:00 | Embassy Asuncion | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM CVIS KCRM PINR BL PA |
| 06BERN688 |
BELARUS: SWITZERLAND WEIGHS VISA BAN, TARGETED [...] No summary [...] |
2006-03-29 15:24:00 | Embassy Bern | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL EU BL SZ |
| 06BOGOTA10318 |
UNDER SECRETARY BURNS AND U.S. DELEGATION MEET [...] (C) U/S Burns and the U.S. delegation capped a successful two-day visit to Bogota with a plenary session on October 25 that included President Uribe, Minister of Foreign Affairs Araujo, Minister of Defense Santos, Minister of Commerce Botero and other senior GOC officials. U/S Burns and Uribe [...] |
2006-11-07 12:35:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PGOV PREL PTER CO EC BL |
| 06BRASILIA1036 |
BRAZIL - A/S SHANNON MEETING WITH FINANCE MINISTER [...] (C) Summary: In a wide-ranging May 22 meeting, recently-appointed Finance Minister Guido Mantega told A/S Shannon and the Charge that Brazil's economy was "sound" and in good shape to weather the current volatility on world financial markets. Mantega and his International Secretary, Luiz Pere [...] |
2006-05-31 17:38:00 | Embassy Brasilia | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN EPET EINV PGOV PREL BR BL |
| 06BRUSSELS472 |
MESSAGE ON LATIN AMERICA RESONATES WITH EU [...] (C) SUMMARY: During his recent visit to Brussels, WHA A/S Shannon's message that the U.S. was seeking partners in promoting the Summit of the Americas agenda for the hemisphere resonated strongly with EU officials, including EU HighRep Javier Solana. On Venezuela, the EU said it would continu [...] |
2006-02-10 17:16:00 | Embassy Brussels | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON ETRD EAID VE BL CU POGV EUN USEU BRUSSELS |
| 06BRUSSELS800 |
U.S.-EU TROIKA ON HUMAN RIGHTS, FEBRUARY 16, 2006 [...] (C) SUMMARY. The U.S.-EU Troika on Human Rights (COHOM), held February 16 in Brussels, provided an important forum for in-depth discussions, but no agreement on what kind of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) meeting might take place should UN agreement on the Human Rights Council (HRC) not be [...] |
2006-03-08 14:34:00 | Embassy Brussels | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL CH IR CU BL VE XR EUN UN USEU BRUSSELS |
| 06BUENOSAIRES1091 |
AMBASSADOR RAISES BUSINESS ADVOCACY ISSUES WITH [...] (SBU) The Ambassador called on Minister of Planning Julio De Vido on May 9 to discuss business advocacy cases. The Ambassador began the meeting by thanking De Vido for his help in improving the relationship between the two governments, especially during the January visit of Assistant Secretar [...] |
2006-05-12 21:00:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON EINV ENRG EAGR AR BL |
| 06BUENOSAIRES118 |
MINISTER MICELI DISCUSSES ECONOMIC POLICY AND LATIN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT WITH A/S SHANNON REF: 05 BUENOS AIRES 3122 Classified By: Ambassador Lino Gutierrez for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ------- Summary ------- [...] (C) WHA Assistant Secretary Tom Shannon called on Minister of Economy Felisa Miceli during his visit to Buenos Aires on January 12. Miceli said she had worked for former Minister of Economy Roberto Lavagna for many years and that her presence is a continuation of what the GOA has been doing sin [...] |
2006-01-17 20:40:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON EFIN ENRG EINV EAGR AR BL |
| 06BUENOSAIRES119 |
MINISTER DE VIDO DISCUSSES ECONOMIC AND ENERGY [...] (SBU) Minister of Planning Julio DeVido received CODEL McConnell on January 11. DeVido noted that the GOA and the U.S. Embassy had a constant dialogue and that they worked together to monitor the status of U.S. companies in Argentina. DeVido said he was optimistic about the future of the Ar [...] |
2006-01-17 21:16:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ECON EINV ENRG EFIN AR BL VE |
| 06BUENOSAIRES140 |
ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP [...] (U) President Kirchner met with Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales on January 17 in Buenos Aires. The Morales visit to Argentina followed a series of meetings that he had conducted with leaders in Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba, France, Spain, South Africa and China. Morales stated in a brief pre [...] |
2006-01-19 17:23:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON ENRG AR BL |
| 06BUENOSAIRES1486 |
MORALES IN ARGENTINA TO SIGN GAS, IMMIGRATION [...] (U) Bolivian President Evo Morales visited to Argentina on June 29 to sign agreements with President Kirchner on the price and volume of natural gas deliveries from Bolivia and agreements on immigration and bridge construction. Kirchner did not sign an agreement on coca leaf imports to Argent [...] |
2006-07-03 20:30:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ETRD ECON AR BL |
| 06BUENOSAIRES161 |
PRESIDENT KIRCHNER SUPPORTS URUGUAY'S RIGHT TO [...] (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified, not for Internet distribution. 2. (U) President Nestor Kirchner made a statement to the press on January 19 during his state visit to Brasilia that he would not oppose Uruguay's negotiation of a free trade agreement with the U.S. "If Argent [...] |
2006-01-20 20:40:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON EINV PREL AR BL VE CI |
| 06BUENOSAIRES2199 |
OTA FIT: FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES (FIT) [...] (U) ACTION REQUESTED -- PARAGRAPH 5. 2. (SBU) AS PART OF A USG/GOVERNMENT OF CHILE BILATERAL INITIATIVE, THE U.S. TREASURY OFFICE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (OTA) IS OFFERING A ONE-WEEK FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS TECHNIQUES (FIT) COURSE IN SANTIAGO, CHILE, OCTOBER 23 ) OCTOBER 27. IN ORDER TO M [...] |
2006-09-26 19:52:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PREL KTFN AR BL PE |
| 06BUENOSAIRES2782 |
ARGENTINE FOREIGN MINISTER TAIANA ON CHINA, [...] (C) Summary: Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana December 14 discussed with Ambassador a broad range of topics. Taiana commented on his trip to China and the GoA's interest in developing Chinese markets for Argentine exports. Taiana said the GoA is pleased with the U.S. Congress' recen [...] |
2006-12-19 17:23:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD PGOV PREL UNESCO AR BL MX CH |
| 06BUENOSAIRES984 |
ARGENTINA PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR REACTION TO [...] (C) Bolivian President Evo Morales nationalized the country's oil and gas reserves by decree on May 1. The decree fulfilled one of Morales' most prominent campaign pledges, but the scope and speed of the decision came as a shock to Argentine officials and business representatives alike. GOA [...] |
2006-05-02 21:59:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ENRG EINV ECON AR BL |
| 06CARACAS1276 |
BRAZIL STILL INTERESTED IN TUCANO SALES, PROPOSES [...] Actions requested - see para 12. Summary ------- 2. (C) Brazilian Ambassador Joao Carlos da Sousa Gomes, acting on instructions, proposed that we trade licensing for U.S. components in the Tucano aircraft for Brazilian support for Sumate with the BRV. That sounds like a bad trade to [...] |
2006-05-11 19:24:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EPET PREL PTER BL BR IR VE UN CU |
| 06LAPAZ1062 |
BOLIVIA: MORALES AND JUDICIARY FACE OFF [...] (SBU) Summary: President Morales has accused key actors in the judicial sector of protecting "sacred cows" and resisting the process of political change. In response, key representatives of the justice sector have accused the President of interfering with and politicizing justice. Although l [...] |
2006-04-19 15:02:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SOCI PHUM USAID BL |
| 06LAPAZ1078 |
BOLIVIA'S TROUBLED AVIATION SECTOR [...] (U) Summary: Lloyd Aero Boliviano's crisis continues, but it is not alone in its troubles. The carrier's principal competitor, AeroSur, is rumored to be struggling with its own financial problems, and civil and military airlines only narrowly avoided serious accidents over the weekend. Taken [...] |
2006-04-20 18:13:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1095 |
BOLIVIA'S 2006 BUDGET: STRONG STATE PRESENCE [...] Summary: The Morales administration sent a revised 2006 public budget proposal to Congress on March 24. The revised budget includes additional appropriations for health and education, while cutting salaries for government workers. Although the new administration has not yet released its econo [...] |
2006-04-20 20:51:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PGOV EAID BL |
| 06LAPAZ1100 |
THE PEOPLE'S TRADE AGREEMENT: AN ALTERNATIVE MODEL? [...] (SBU) Summary: President Morales recently outlined his proposed People's Trade Agreement (reftel) in a highly ideological document that describes an alternative commercial model whose objective is not market liberalization, but "just trade" and protection of the people. Morales explains his c [...] |
2006-04-21 17:17:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1101 |
MUTUN TO PROCEED; PROBLEMS WITH NEARBY PROJECT [...] (SBU) Summary: GOB officials recently announced that bidding on the rights to develop Mutun, one of the world's largest iron ore deposits, would proceed as planned; this satisfied a long-standing demand of local leaders, but problems with a nearby project have generated conflict. Civic activis [...] |
2006-04-21 17:18:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | EMIN EINV ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1107 |
PETROBRAS-BOLIVIAN GOVERNMENT RELATIONS [...] (SBU) Summary: Petrobras representatives told Econoffs that in several difficult meetings with the GOB, the Brazilian energy giant vowed not to invest another cent in Bolivia until key issues were resolved. In those meetings, GOB officials reportedly displayed a confounding ignorance of the h [...] |
2006-04-21 20:24:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1114 |
GOVERNMENT FACES RISING SOCIAL SECTOR TENSIONS [...] (SBU) Summary: Amid accusations that the government has failed to keep its promises, social sector frustration, including among the MAS's highland support base, is rising. Civil sector leaders in Santa Cruz and Tarija have also stepped up their anti-government pressures. The Government has m [...] |
2006-04-24 18:21:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI ELAB PHUM PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1129 |
BOLIVIA AND ARGENTINA SIGN ENERGY DECLARATION [...] (SBU) Summary: On April 21, Bolivia and Argentina signed an Energy Integration Declaration in La Paz, promising to revise the natural gas sales agreement between the two countries, including provisions on price and export volumes, create a partnership between both countries' state oil compani [...] |
2006-04-26 16:40:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1130 |
BOLIVIA: ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF TRADE? [...] (SBU) Summary: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' vice minister of economic relations and foreign trade appears to believe Bolivia is gaining influence in the formation of regional and international trade policy. She claims President Morales is assuming a leadership role in the Andean Community [...] |
2006-04-26 16:40:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1131 |
CONGRESSIONAL ECONOMIC COMMISSIONS' VIEWS DIFFER [...] (SBU) Summary: While staff of the MAS-led Chamber of Deputies Economic and Sustainable Development Commissions look favorably on the initial performance of the Morales administration, the president of the commissions' opposition-led Senate counterpart believes the government has acted erratica [...] |
2006-04-26 19:21:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1138 |
BOLIVIA: INPUT FOR REVIEW OF TITLE III OF THE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-04-27 18:20:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ETTC PREL CU BL |
| 06LAPAZ1157 |
PRESIDENT NATIONALIZES HYDROCARBONS [...] Summary: On May 1, the GOB issued its long-awaited Supreme Decree "nationalizing" the hydrocarbons sector. Largely consistent with prior GOB announcements and the May 2005 Hydrocarbons Law, the decree gives hydrocarbons companies six months to negotiate new "service" contracts with the GOB; t [...] |
2006-05-02 15:54:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ1159 |
NATIONALIZATION AS GRAND POLITICAL GESTURE [...] (SBU) Summary: By announcing the nationalization of Bolivia's hydrocarbons sector, President Evo Morales has again proven himself a master of the grand political gesture. Timed to coincide with the kick off the campaign for the Constituent Assembly and accompanied by the symbolic taking of g [...] |
2006-05-02 17:18:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB EINV ENRG ECON PGOV SOCI PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1172 |
BOLIVIA JOINS ALBA, SIGNS PEOPLES' TRADE AGREEMENT [...] (SBU) Summary: On April 29, Bolivia formally joined the Bolivarian Alternative to the Americas (ALBA) and signed a Peoples' Trade Agreement with Venezuela and Cuba, becoming party to agreements meant to advance regional economic, political, and cultural integration. The three countries promis [...] |
2006-05-02 19:53:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV EPET USTR BL |
| 06LAPAZ1180 |
IS MINING NEXT IN LINE FOR NATIONALIZATION? [...] (SBU) Summary: In the aftermath of the GOB's May 1 nationalization of Bolivia's hydrocarbons sector, many are wondering if mining might be next in line. President Morales and other GOB officials have repeatedly stated their intent to nationalize all natural resources, including mineral deposi [...] |
2006-05-03 18:29:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1191 |
NATIONALIZATION: COMPANY PERSPECTIVES [...] (SBU) Summary: While foreign investors were not surprised by most of the terms of the GOB's May 1 nationalization decree (ref A), they were nonetheless taken aback that their long-dreaded expectations appeared to have become reality. So far most companies have reacted in measured fashion, and [...] |
2006-05-04 19:49:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ1193 |
BUSINESSMEN QUESTION GOB'S ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES [...] (SBU) Summary: The GOB's lack of clearly defined economic objectives is increasingly frustrating La Paz businessmen, who say government officials' erratic behavior has weakened Bolivia's investment climate. Leading manufacturers recently told EconOff that the GOB's failure to negotiate a free [...] |
2006-05-04 19:53:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1198 |
NATIONALIZATION: COMPANY PERSPECTIVES [...] (SBU) Summary: While foreign investors were not surprised by most of the terms of the GOB's May 1 nationalization decree (ref A), they were nonetheless taken aback that their long-dreaded expectations appeared to have become reality. So far most companies have reacted in measured fashion, and [...] |
2006-05-05 12:05:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ1199 |
BUSINESSMEN QUESTION GOB'S ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES [...] (SBU) Summary: The GOB's lack of clearly defined economic objectives is increasingly frustrating La Paz businessmen, who say government officials' erratic behavior has weakened Bolivia's investment climate. Leading manufacturers recently told EconOff that the GOB's failure to negotiate a free [...] |
2006-05-05 12:05:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1209 |
BOLIVIA: SPECIAL 301 DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] (U) EconOff delivered reftel talking points May 5 to Jorge Estrada, legal advisor to Bolivia's National Intellectual Property Service (SENAPI). Estrada said he was unfamiliar with the annual Special 301 review of countries' intellectual property rights (IPR) practices but assured EconOff he wo [...] |
2006-05-05 20:04:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIPR ECON ETRD EINV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1211 |
MILITARY EQUIPMENT: WHAT'S MINE IS MINE, WHAT'S [...] (C) Summary: In a GOB-requested May 2 meeting with the Ambassador, Minister of Defense Walker San Miguel and Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca attempted to set conditions for the return of counter-terrorism unit U.S. equipment to MilGroup custody. The Ambassador reminded both ministers that [...] |
2006-05-08 11:28:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1231 |
BOLIVIA: KEEPING IRAN OFF HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-08 19:32:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | KUNR PHUM UNHRC PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1245 |
PRESIDENT MORALES FOCUSED ON POPULISM AT 100 DAYS [...] (C) SUMMARY: In his first 100 days in office, Evo Morales has focused almost exclusively on political goals with short-term domestic appeal and negative long-term consequences. At home, his efforts to consolidate power in the executive appeal to Bolivian demands for stability and jobs after y [...] |
2006-05-09 15:10:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL SOCI ETRD BL |
| 06LAPAZ1248 |
GOB NAMES BOARD MEMBERS TO "NATIONALIZED" [...] (SBU) Summary: The GOB named 20 directors and five controllers to the boards of five hydrocarbons companies on May 8. The GOB has yet to legally acquire ownership control of these five companies, in accord with its May 1 nationalization decree (reftel), and it remains unclear how it plans to [...] |
2006-05-09 17:45:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET EFIN PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1254 |
BOLIVIA: FISSURES IN THE MORALES GOVERNMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Evo Morales entered his fourth month in office with rifts developing within his government and Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party. Morales' abrupt firing of associates for alleged corruption, autocratic management style, and rhetorical attacks against the United Stat [...] |
2006-05-09 20:15:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL SOCI |
| 06LAPAZ1265 |
DISCRIMINATION WITHIN THE MAS? [...] (C) Summary: While the GOB continues to ride a wave of euphoria following President Morales' May 1 nationalization of hydrocarbons, an undertow of discontent grows within the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) due to alleged intra-party discrimination based on gender and race, as well as Morales' [...] |
2006-05-10 13:20:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1268 |
LLORENTI WON'T BE BOLIVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-10 16:40:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ1271 |
GOB OFFERS COCA ERADICATION IMPROVEMENTS FOR [...] (SBU) Summary: Leading Bolivian exporters told the Ambassador May 9 that President Morales had floated the idea of linking improvements in illegal coca eradication to an extension of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA). GOB officials reportedly told exporters they wer [...] |
2006-05-10 18:41:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV SNAR BL |
| 06LAPAZ1283 |
SLOW START FOR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGNS [...] (C) Summary: The Constituent Assembly campaign is off to an unimpressive start; campaign season opened May 2 but political parties, perhaps taking their cues from a fatigued electorate, or perhaps hindered by a lack of funding, have done little to educate voters about their candidates or posi [...] |
2006-05-11 17:47:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1285 |
GOB ON GAS: TO COMPENSATE OR NOT TO COMPENSATE? [...] (SBU) Summary: President Morales reportedly stated on May 11 that the GOB did not have to compensate hydrocarbons companies for their losses due to nationalization if such firms had "recovered investments and accrued some earnings." In contradiction to Morales' statement, the GOB agreed on May [...] |
2006-05-11 19:16:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ENRG EPET PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1289 |
MINING MINISTER SAYS GOB WILL NOT NATIONALIZE [...] (SBU) Summary: Minister of Mining Walter Villarroel told Econoffs May 11 that the GOB would not nationalize Bolivia's mining industry. He left open the possibility of tax increases, however, and said the tax structure and mining code were under review. He also asked for assistance identifyin [...] |
2006-05-12 15:53:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1316 |
GOB EXPLAINS HYDROCARBONS NATIONALIZATION [...] (SBU) Summary: Hydrocarbons Minister Andres Soliz Rada, accompanied by the Finance and Planning Ministers, convened a meeting of international donors on May 12 to discuss the GOB's hydrocarbons nationalization decree issued on May 1 (ref A). After decrying the "neoliberal" economic model, the [...] |
2006-05-16 17:30:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAID EINV ENRG EPET PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1317 |
OPPOSITION PROSPECTS ARE WEAK FOR THE CONSTITUENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The opposition to President Evo Morales, Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party enters the campaign for the Constituent Assembly elections on July 2 even weaker than before the general elections in December 2006. The best-known opposition leaders--Podemos, Jorge Quiroga and UN,s S [...] |
2006-05-16 17:50:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL SOCI |
| 06LAPAZ1322 |
MAS HAS STRONG ADVANTAGE ENTERING THE CONSTITUENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Evo Morales and his Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party will launch their campaign for the 2 July Constituent Assembly election on May 26 riding a wave of popular support for the President's hydrocarbons nationalization decree. The MAS remains the most powerful party [...] |
2006-05-17 12:50:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ1332 |
ECONOMIC ROOTS OF BOLIVIA'S SOCIAL REVOLUTION [...] (SBU) Summary: Economic factors, which have fed the growing political disaffection of Bolivia's majority poor, have helped fuel the country's rolling "social revolution." Take persistent poverty. The percentage of Bolivia's population living below the poverty line has remained virtually uncha [...] |
2006-05-17 18:25:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB SMIG SOCI PGOV EINV EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ1337 |
GOB PROMISES LAND REFORM [...] Summary: The GOB announced on May 8 that it planned to distribute between 11 and 14 million hectares of land to farmers, indigenous communities, and the landless through eight supreme decrees and a revision of the 1996 Agrarian Reform Law. On May 17, the GOB told the press that President Mora [...] |
2006-05-17 20:18:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ECON SMIG SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ1341 |
GOB CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON ATPDEA EXTENSION [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivia's vice minister of trade and exports told Econoffs May 17 that GOB officials remained interested in an extension of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), believing additional time would provide "space" for the government to define its trade polici [...] |
2006-05-18 15:16:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1357 |
JUDICIAL BRANCH STANDS TALL AGAINST EXECUTIVE [...] (C) Summary: In meetings with poloff on May 17 in Sucre, Supreme Court and Constitutional Tribunal (CT) justices, still stinging from President Morales' March public criticisms of the CT, expressed strong resolve to resist political pressure and influence from the Morales government. While Mo [...] |
2006-05-19 19:49:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1384 |
BOLIVIA: IMF, IDB, AND WORLD BANK UPDATES [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see Paragraph 6. 2. (C) Summary: Please see paragraph 6 for action request. The World Bank Andean Director met with the Ambassador to solicit support from the U.S. government for the approval of its interim Bolivian strategy during the next World Bank [...] |
2006-05-23 18:11:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON EFIN PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1407 |
BRAZILIANS FIRM ON ECONOMIC ISSUES, BEHIND CLOSED [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met with Brazilian Ambassador to Bolivia Antonio Mena Goncalves May 24 to discuss Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim's May 22-23 visit to La Paz. In meetings with the Bolivian government, Amorim deliberately avoided the hydrocarbons issue, but Mena Goncalves to [...] |
2006-05-26 14:05:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL EPET ENRG BL |
| 06LAPAZ1414 |
DEJA VU--IS MORALES FOLLOWING THE CHAVEZ MODEL? [...] (C) Summary: As the Morales government hits the four month mark and further strengthens its relationships with Cuba and Venezuela, there is increasing speculation about the extent to which Morales is following the Chavista model of governance. Three Venezuelan USAID contractors working on dem [...] |
2006-05-26 19:44:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1418 |
BOLIVIA IN CHAVEZ' EMBRACE [...] (C) Summary: The MAS party's May 26 Chapare-based campaign kick-off for the Constituent Assembly -- featuring President Evo Morales and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez in the shared leading role -- revealed a Bolivian government fallen openly into Venezuela's embrace. Venezuelan offici [...] |
2006-05-30 14:15:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON EPET EINV SOCI ELAB BL |
| 06LAPAZ1456 |
TUTO QUIROGA ON CHAVEZ DOMINO EFFECT [...] (C) Summary: Former President and opposition leader Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga told the Ambassador on May 30 that the USG should help "stop Chavez" in Peru, or risk the domino effect in Ecuador and elsewhere. Quiroga talked at length about Chavez's visions of a Bolivarian state, and said that after [...] |
2006-05-31 19:19:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL EFIN BL |
| 06LAPAZ1466 |
BOLIVIA FORMALLY REQUESTS ATPDEA AND GSP EXTENSIONS [...] (SBU) Summary: President Morales' newly-appointed advisor for international trade, Pablo Solon, called on the Ambassador May 31 to deliver a copy of a letter formally requesting extensions of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) and the Generalized System of Preferences [...] |
2006-06-01 18:40:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON PREL PGOV USTR BL |
| 06LAPAZ1491 |
TRANSREDES SALE DECREASES U.S. INVESTMENT IN [...] (SBU) The U.S. firm Enron has completed the first stage of selling its subsidiary Prisma, which owns 25 percent of Bolivian gas pipeline operator Transredes and 29 percent of the Bolivian gas pipeline operator GTB, to Ashmore Energy International. According to Transredes contacts, Ashmore is [...] |
2006-06-02 19:09:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ1516 |
AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH DORIA MEDINA [...] (SBU) Summary: Ambassador met May 30 with National Unity (UN) party leader Samuel Doria Medina, who predicted that President Morales' Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party would win 50 to 55 percent of the vote for the Constituent Assembly elections in July, while the UN and Podemos would spl [...] |
2006-06-05 20:29:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ1517 |
MORALES ISSUED LAND DECREES WITHOUT PROMISED [...] (U) Despite his May 18 decision not to promulgate executive decrees redistributing land without consensus, President Morales issued seven decrees on June 3 after negotiations with Santa Cruz agricultural and business representatives broke down June 2. The GOB will redistribute 2.2 million he [...] |
2006-06-05 20:43:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ1518 |
LLOYD: CLOSER TO COLLAPSE [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivia's national airline, Lloyd Aero Boliviano, moved closer to collapse following the chief executive's failed attempt to relinquish ownership to employees. In a bizarre turn of events June 3, disgruntled pilots accosted two members of the company's board of directors and he [...] |
2006-06-05 20:48:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON PGOV CASC BL |
| 06LAPAZ1530 |
INDIA'S JINDAL STEEL WINS MUTUN BID [...] (SBU) Summary: GOB officials announced June 1 that India's Jindal Steel and Power had won the right to develop Mutun, one of the world's largest iron ore deposits. The firm expects to invest USD 2.3 billion over the next ten years, not only to exploit Mutun's estimated 40 billion tons of iron [...] |
2006-06-06 17:06:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1537 |
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS, MORALES TRADE CRITICISMS [...] (SBU) Summary: In a joint declaration May 31, seven departmental business associations harshly criticized the Morales administration and charged the president with leading Bolivia in the wrong direction. Morales responded in an open letter published in leading newspapers June 3, accusing the [...] |
2006-06-06 21:22:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1556 |
ONE PREFECT WORRIES ABOUT FUTURE OF REGIONAL [...] (C) Summary: Cochabamba prefect (governor) and former presidential candidate Manfred Reyes Villa told the Ambassador on June 7 that he believes President Morales will hold national elections following the Constituent Assembly in order to consolidate control over Bolivia's prefects, and will a [...] |
2006-06-08 18:40:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1564 |
HYDROCARBONS CHAMBER SAYS NEGOTIATIONS WILL [...] (SBU) Summary: Hydrocarbons Chamber representatives told the Ambassador June 7 that hydrocarbons companies would negotiate with GOB officials to determine the terms of their new contracts (ref A) until they felt they could no longer negotiate in good faith - at least until the expiration of th [...] |
2006-06-08 21:28:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EPET ENRG EINV ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ1565 |
EU AWAITS ANDEAN COMMUNITY STANCE TOWARD TRADE [...] (U) Summary: At a June 8 breakfast, the European Commission Delegation's chief trade representative said the European Union (EU) would await a clear Andean Community stance toward trade talks before pursuing association agreement negotiations. EU member states hope to see consensus emerge aft [...] |
2006-06-08 21:30:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1586 |
BOLIVIA ON NAM STATEMENT [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-12 18:29:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | AORC PREL IAEA BL KNNP USNC IR |
| 06LAPAZ1587 |
LAND CONFLICT IN ORURO [...] (U) The GOB displaced 7,000 squatters from privately-owned lands in the Department of Oruro on June 9; one off-duty police officer was killed in the confrontation. Members of an organization dubbed the "Roofless Movement" (similar to the Landless Movement) had been living in tents on private [...] |
2006-06-12 18:30:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ1596 |
TRIBUNAL DECLARES MINING CODE ARTICLES [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivia's Constitutional Tribunal recently declared six articles of the mining code unconstitutional, eliminating investors' rights to transfer and mortgage mining concessions. The ruling will take effect after a two-year delay, ostensibly to allow the GOB to pass legislation i [...] |
2006-06-13 15:23:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ1597 |
COUNTDOWN TO CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY ELECTION [...] (C) Summary: With three weeks to go before the July 2 Constituent Assembly elections, polls in La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, together representing 70 percent of the population, indicate Morales' Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party will win approximately 45 percent of the vote, with Pode [...] |
2006-06-13 15:35:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1614 |
VENEZUELAN INVOLVEMENT IN BOLIVIAN BANKING [...] (C) Summary: Venezuela has agreed to buy USD 100 million of Bolivian bonds in May to be used to finance Bolivian Treasury gaps or fund a portion of the deficit, but Finance Ministry contacts tell us that the deal is uncertain. Venezuela has also promised Bolivia another USD 100 million to prov [...] |
2006-06-14 14:50:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN BL |
| 06LAPAZ1629 |
LLOYD SECURES INSURANCE EXTENSION [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivia's national airline, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano, narrowly avoided collapse June 15 by securing a new extension on its aircraft insurance, set to expire the same day. The extension will allow the carrier to continue operating, but with board members' June 15 decision to resign [...] |
2006-06-16 19:27:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1638 |
BOLIVIA ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-19 13:14:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1644 |
BOLIVIA'S EXPANSIVE COCA POLICY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The GOB's coca strategy is becoming more explicit, and its expansiveness will only complicate effective control. On June 17, President Morales celebrated the opening of a coca tea plant in the Yungas and unveiled a domestic coca leaf commercialization regime that reportedly allo [...] |
2006-06-19 15:30:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR EAID BL |
| 06LAPAZ1651 |
AGRICULTURE MINISTER ON APHIS AND LAND REFORM [...] (SBU) Summary: Econoff delivered talking points from ref A on APHIS regulatory changes to Minister of Agriculture Salvatierra on June 16. Salvatierra claimed that the MAS and its land reform program had capitalist, not socialist, goals promoting production and efficient land use. He indicate [...] |
2006-06-19 19:35:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON ETRD USDA USTR BL |
| 06LAPAZ1654 |
SANTA CRUZ PREFECT PREDICTS WIN FOR AUTONOMY [...] (SBU) Summary: Santa Cruz Prefect Ruben Costas told the Ambassador June 19 that he believed six of Bolivia's nine departments would vote "yes" in the July 2 autonomy referendum. He expressed frustration with the GOB's "double talk," referring to President Morales' recent decision to withdraw [...] |
2006-06-19 20:24:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1660 |
GOB UNVEILS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN [...] (SBU) Summary: The GOB released its five-year national development plan on June 16. The plan proposes a strong state presence in the economy and natural resource management and substantial public investment in order to create jobs, diminish poverty, improve health and education, and provide [...] |
2006-06-20 19:02:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAGR EAID EFIN EINV ELAB PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1661 |
BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE ON TELECOMS CHANGES [...] (SBU) Summary: A U.S. investor in Bolivia's telecommunications sector relayed to us his concerns about the GOB's proposed changes to the sector -- a government take-over of Entel and elimination of the independent regulator -- outlined in its national development plan released on June 16 (sept [...] |
2006-06-20 19:03:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ECPS EINV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1662 |
TARIJA PREFECT ON UPCOMING ELECTIONS [...] (C) Tarija Prefect Mario Cossio told the Ambassador June 19 that like the Embassy's relationship with the GOB, his relationship with the Morales administration is complicated by instability, largely due to the GOB's unclear policies and erratic public attacks for political gain. Cossio said h [...] |
2006-06-20 19:16:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ167 |
MORALES INAUGURATION SPEECH: A MIXED BAG [...] (SBU) Summary. Evo Morales' January 22 inauguration speech was many things: long, rambling and inconsistent, but also direct, passionate and heartfelt. He celebrated international support for his government from the United States, Venezuela and Cuba. But in a less-than-presidential manner, [...] |
2006-01-23 21:00:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ1672 |
FORESTRY SECTOR FEARFUL OF GOB INTERVENTION [...] (U) Summary: The Bolivian Forestry Chamber has repeatedly voiced opposition to the GOB's plans to nationalize forestry resources, arguing that government interference will undermine a healthy and productive sector. The GOB's national development plan, released June 16 (ref A), does not propos [...] |
2006-06-21 18:13:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV EAGR ECON SENV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1673 |
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN PROPOSES MINING SECTOR [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivia's national development plan, announced June 16 (reftel), proposes wide-ranging changes in the mining sector, among them increased state control of mineral production and sales and new taxes and regulations. The plan highlights the need for more research into available mi [...] |
2006-06-21 18:15:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ168 |
BOLIVIA AND VENEZUELA WASTE NO TIME SIGNING [...] (U) On President Evo Morales' first full day in office, Morales and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez signed a series of cooperation agreements covering energy, sports, health, medicine, education and agriculture. Chavez called the signing of these agreements "the start of a new period of rel [...] |
2006-01-23 21:00:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ169 |
CHILE'S LAGOS HOPEFUL ABOUT BOLIVIA'S MORALES [...] (C) Summary: During their January 22 meeting in La Paz, President of Chile Ricardo Lagos told WHA A/S Shannon that the U.S. should keep the doors open with Evo Morales to prevent Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez from gaining disproportionate influence. Lagos said he had explained Chile's his [...] |
2006-01-23 21:06:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON SOCI ELAB CI BL |
| 06LAPAZ1711 |
GOB VOWS TO "DECOLONIZE" EDUCATION, THREATENING ACS [...] (SBU) Summary: After weeks of rumors concerning educational reform, Bolivia's education minister announced June 22 that the GOB planned to "decolonize" education to make all schools, public and private, equal. He declared the American Cooperative School part of a system that caters to a fortu [...] |
2006-06-23 21:11:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASCH APER AMGT PGOV SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ1729 |
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF? [...] (C) Summary: Bolivia's 1952 revolution, led by the National Revolutionary Movement (MNR), redistributed land and nationalized mining resources (including tin, Bolivia's principal export at the time) in an effort to correct economic disparity and established universal suffrage to promote greate [...] |
2006-06-27 14:30:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1743 |
LATEST POLLS ON CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY [...] (SBU) With less than a week before the July 2 Constituent Assembly elections, a June 17-18 Apoyo opinion poll of all nine department capitals projects the MAS will win at least 114 of 255 seats in the Assembly. According to the poll, MAS candidates are likely to win 14 of the 45 department-wi [...] |
2006-06-27 19:20:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1774 |
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS DIFFER IN RESPONSE TO GOB [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivian business associations share similar concerns about GOB economic policies but differ in their response, with some advocating open criticism and others urging moderation. Neither strategy has been effective, as association representatives reportedly have limited access t [...] |
2006-06-28 19:48:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1775 |
OPPOSITION GOALS FOR THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY [...] (C) Summary: The two leading opposition political parties, Podemos and the National Unity (UN) party, have had little success in educating voters about their respective campaign platforms. While Podemos has a solid plan for the Constituent Assembly, its repeated criticism of Venezuelan inter [...] |
2006-06-28 19:53:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1782 |
REPSOL AND PETROBRAS NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE [...] (SBU) Summary: Hydrocarbons company Repsol (Argentina/Spain) told Econoff June 28 that it expected Argentina to agree to a price increase on Bolivian natural gas exports on June 29. Press reports on June 29 indicated that the agreement would be in effect until December 31 and include an expor [...] |
2006-06-29 15:03:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ1787 |
NATIONAL ELECTORAL COURT READY FOR JULY 2 [...] (C) Acting Ecopol Chief met with National Electoral Court (CNE) President Salvador Romero on June 28 regarding the Court's preparations for the July 2 Constituent Assembly elections, which Romero says are almost complete. The CNE has set up a new system which voters can use to confirm (by cel [...] |
2006-06-29 16:26:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ179 |
MORALES GOVERNMENT GENERATES HOPE, CONCERN [...] (C) Summary: WHA Assistant Secretary Thomas Shannon held a series of meetings on January 22 with Santa Cruz business leaders, media and political analysts, opposition leader Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, and Spanish Secretary of Foreign Affairs Bernardino Leon on the margins of the Morales inauguratio [...] |
2006-01-24 19:40:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1791 |
FIRST QUARTER 2006 MACROECONOMIC REPORT [...] Summary: Bolivia's positive GDP growth trend continued during the first quarter of 2006 due to high international prices for the country's main exports: hydrocarbons, minerals, and agricultural products. Exports grew by 23 percent in the first quarter compared with the same period in 2005, c [...] |
2006-06-29 20:17:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ELAB EMIN ENRG EPET ETRD BL |
| 06LAPAZ1794 |
SANTA CRUZ: THOUSANDS SHOW SUPPORT FOR AUTONOMY [...] (SBU) Summary: An estimated 400,000 people gathered in Santa Cruz June 28 to support civic leaders' campaign for a "yes" vote in the July 2 departmental autonomy referendum. Speakers accused the Morales administration of attempting to consolidate "hegemonic" power and declared autonomy a means [...] |
2006-06-29 21:05:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ1795 |
MORE ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION [...] (C) Summary: Following the GOB's June 22 announcement of its plan to "decolonize" and secularize education (reftel), pressure from the Catholic Church led the Morales administration to soften its position at least as regards Church interests. The GOB hosted a seminar June 26-28 on its propos [...] |
2006-06-29 21:10:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ASCH APER AMGT PGOV SOCI PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1797 |
USED CLOTHING IMPORTS TEMPORARILY EXTENDED [...] (U) Summary: In a June 21 supreme decree, the GOB extended used clothing imports until April 20, 2007, and said it would allow used clothing sales through February 28, 2008. Reactions were mixed, with some groups accusing the GOB of harming small apparel producers and others suggesting the GOB [...] |
2006-06-30 14:03:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ180 |
GOB NAMES LEFTIST CABINET [...] (SBU) Summary: President Morales announced the 16 members of his cabinet January 23, the majority leftist, indigenous and from the altiplano. Morales exhorted the new cabinet to change Bolivia, integrate marginalized members of society, eliminate corruption, and serve -- not exploit -- the peo [...] |
2006-01-24 19:41:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ECON PGOV TBIO BL |
| 06LAPAZ1805 |
ARGENTINA AND BOLIVIA SIGN IMMIGRATION AND GAS [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivian and Argentine government officials signed seven agreements in Buenos Aires on June 29 regarding several topics including immigration, natural gas prices, and the construction of a bridge connecting the two countries (reftels). Argentina did not agree to legalize coca [...] |
2006-06-30 20:20:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ1808 |
PRELIMINARY CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY RESULTS [...] (U) Summary: Although preliminary election results show that the majority of Bolivians voted against departmental autonomy, four eastern departments solidly voted in its favor. Early results also indicate that President Morales' Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party won around 52 percent of Co [...] |
2006-07-03 13:15:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ1841 |
ELECTIONS UPDATE [...] (SBU) Approximately 80 percent of the July 2 election results are in, and National Electoral Court officials expect around 90 percent by July 7. Most analysts anticipate high voter participation rates, perhaps approaching the 84.5 percent of the December 2005 national elections. While voter [...] |
2006-07-06 15:01:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ1842 |
TRANSREDES AND GONI ON TRIAL [...] (SBU) Summary: The Morales administration claims that Enron improperly acquired shares in the Bolivian-Brazilian pipeline through a dubious contract between Enron and the GOB signed by former President Gonzalo "Goni" Sanchez de Lozada. The GOB claims that Enron and its subsidiary Transredes ow [...] |
2006-07-06 15:09:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ1845 |
MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE ACCOUNT UPDATE [...] (SBU) Summary: Econoff delivered reftel information to Bolivia's Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) representative, Javier Hurtado, on July 5. Hurtado was optimistic that Bolivia would not follow in the Gambia's footsteps. He plans to contract seven technical team members within the next wee [...] |
2006-07-06 15:56:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON ETRD PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1859 |
SANTA CRUZ LABOR DISPUTE PROMPTS GOB INTERVENTION [...] (SBU) Summary: July 3 clashes between feuding branches of Santa Cruz' Departmental Labor Confederation prompted the GOB to dismiss the department's police chief and install military guards at key administrative buildings. Minister of Government Alicia Munoz accused the police chief of neglige [...] |
2006-07-07 20:09:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB PREL PGOV SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ186 |
MAS ECONOMICS TEAM: STRONG SOCIAL AWARENESS, WEAK [...] (SBU) Summary: If reports about its economic transition teams are any indication, the future Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) government will have lots to learn. Current government ministers have told us that the MAS mining, economic development, and hydrocarbons teams conspicuously lack techn [...] |
2006-01-24 21:18:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | BL ECON EINV EMIN ENRG EPET ETRD PGOV |
| 06LAPAZ1877 |
CENTRAL BANK SCANDAL [...] (SBU) Summary: Two MAS congressmen recently accused former government and finance ministry officials of illegally withdrawing USD 153 million from the Central Bank in October 2003, just before the fall of former President Gonzalo "Goni" Sanchez de Lozada. Prosecutor Milton Mendoza is investi [...] |
2006-07-10 19:06:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN KJUS BL |
| 06LAPAZ1885 |
CUSTOMS HOPES "SOCIAL CONTROL" WILL REDUCE [...] (SBU) Summary: Customs officials recently proposed a "social control" mechanism to reduce contraband, arguing that appropriate incentives would increase the identification and seizure of illegally traded goods. The proposal is part of a restructuring process in which officials are evaluating [...] |
2006-07-11 12:39:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON ENRG EPET PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1891 |
FINAL ELECTION RESULTS: "MAS" OF THE SAME [...] (C) Summary: Final July 2 Constituent Assembly election results gave the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party 137 of 255 seats and ensured several opposition parties, including Podemos and National Unity (UN), a significant presence in the Assembly. In the week following the election, politic [...] |
2006-07-11 14:26:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1918 |
HYDROCARBONS REGULATOR ENSURES FUEL SUPPLY [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivia's state oil company, YPFB, successfully assumed control of Bolivia's wholesale hydrocarbons market on July 1, as provided for by the 2005 Hydrocarbons Law. To ensure adequate supplies of gasoline and diesel, the hydrocarbons regulator issued an emergency decree requirin [...] |
2006-07-12 19:30:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ1923 |
AIRLINES SEEK TO EXPLOIT LLOYD'S TROUBLES [...] (SBU) Summary: As Lloyd Aereo Boliviano struggles, American Airlines and AeroSur seek to expand. American plans to add La Paz-Miami flights in August and September, and AeroSur hopes to operate public charters to Miami from late July. Both see opportunities in Lloyd's near-complete departure [...] |
2006-07-13 14:54:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ1936 |
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF GOB'S HYDROCARBONS [...] (SBU) Summary: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) have frozen the pipeline operator Transredes' financing for expanding and constructing three natural gas pipelines due to the GOB take-over of company shares. Without these pipelines, various [...] |
2006-07-14 20:54:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ195 |
MORALES-SHANNON MEETING: PRESIDENT RECOUNTS [...] (C) Summary: Summary: In their January 21 meeting, WHA Assistant Secretary Thomas Shannon told President-elect Evo Morales the U.S. agenda in Bolivia reflected our larger agenda in the region: consolidating democracy, promoting economic growth through free markets and integration, and protec [...] |
2006-01-26 15:23:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON EPET EINV ENRG SOCI ELAB BL |
| 06LAPAZ1952 |
SCENESETTER FOR VP GARCIA LINERA VISIT [...] (C) Summary: Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera will arrive in Washington late July 19 to push for an extension of ATPDEA benefits. In its first six months in office, the Morales administration has maintained popularity ratings of 70 to 80 percent by nationalizing hydrocarbons, ann [...] |
2006-07-19 16:14:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL MCC BL |
| 06LAPAZ1955 |
GOB ASKS WHY VICE PRESIDENT NOT ALLOWED TO TRAVEL [...] (C) Summary: Acting Foreign Minister Alicia Munoz summoned the Ambassador July 19 to explain why Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera was not allowed to board American Airlines flight 922 from La Paz to Miami. The Ambassador apologized for the incident, attributing the error to an administrat [...] |
2006-07-19 17:26:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ1956 |
EDUCATION CONGRESS ENDORSES SECULAR EDUCATION [...] (SBU) Summary: Days of contentious debate ended July 14 with the National Education Congress' endorsement of a secular education system that "respects the beliefs and spirituality of indigenous nations and the Bolivian people" and "rejects all dogmatic impositions." The Catholic Church accuse [...] |
2006-07-19 17:42:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASCH APER AMGT PGOV PREL SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ196 |
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST NAMED BOLIVIA'S AMBASSADOR [...] (SBU) Summary: President Morales will reportedly appoint human rights activist Sacha Llorenti as Bolivia's next Ambassador to the U.S., tasking the new envoy with securing the extradition of former President Gonzalo "Goni" Sanchez de Lozada. It is tempting to read an "anti-U.S." message into [...] |
2006-01-26 20:39:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ2011 |
TRANSREDES UPDATE [...] (SBU) Summary: Transredes' board will meet at the end of July to discuss acquisition of the company's shares by the GOB. According to a Transredes executive, the company could live with GOB majority ownership, as long as the private investors, Shell and Prisma, retained operating control. The [...] |
2006-07-26 13:05:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2017 |
STATE CRITICIZES CHURCH [...] (C) Summary: A growing confrontation between church and state, which began as a debate about religious education, has broadened into a larger discussion of religion in general. Religion and religious education will be discussed in Congress in relation to a pending education bill as well as in [...] |
2006-07-26 18:47:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ASCH APER AMGT PGOV PREL SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ2036 |
LA PAZ PREFECT UNDER FIRE [...] (C) Summary: Following the July 2 autonomy referendum, social sectors have called for the resignation of La Paz Prefect Jose Luis "Pepe Lucho" Paredes, expressing anger at his support for regional autonomy (a position that contradicted his department's popular vote). Paredes alleges that a r [...] |
2006-07-27 14:21:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2037 |
SOCIAL SECTORS TO OVERSEE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY [...] (SBU) Summary: On July 23, President Morales announced plans to have social sectors oversee the Constituent Assembly. Morales' statements were strongly criticized by opposition parties and citizen groups. While his recent declarations might be an attempt to reach out to social sectors that [...] |
2006-07-27 14:24:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2046 |
MINING COMPANIES BRACE FOR ROYALTY AND TAX [...] (SBU) Summary: U.S.-owned mining company representatives said July 24 that they remained concerned by the GOB's failure to make royalty and tax decisions. While officials have repeatedly said the government will not act on President Morales' promises to nationalize Bolivia's mining industry ( [...] |
2006-07-28 18:49:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ205 |
EARLY WARNING SIGNS? [...] (C) Summary: President Morales' first week in office has brought public and private reassurances that his government will cooperate with the USG and respect democracy and the rule of law, but there are also some early warning signs that the new government may undermine democratic institutions. [...] |
2006-01-27 19:45:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2056 |
HYDROCARBONS REGULATOR STANDS FIRM AGAINST GOB [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivia's hydrocarbons regulator has accused Bolivia's state oil company, YPFB, of entering into contracts that are against state interests -- charges ironically similar to those of the GOB against Enron and former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada. The GOB reportedly tried t [...] |
2006-07-31 20:53:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2079 |
GOB URGES "CREATIVE" APPROACH TO BILATERAL TRADE [...] (SBU) Summary: GOB trade officials expressed satisfaction August 1 with Vice President Garcia Linera's trip to Washington (reftel), which provided an opportunity to lobby for an extension of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA). They noted the GOB's interest in negotia [...] |
2006-08-02 20:15:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2099 |
INDIGENOUS WOMAN TO LEAD ASSEMBLY [...] (SBU) On July 29, President Morales designated Silvia Lazarte as the MAS' candidate for Constituent Assembly (CA) president, noting that she represents two sectors that have been historically excluded: women and the indigenous. Opposition parties criticized the nomination process as too one [...] |
2006-08-03 18:55:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2111 |
MORALES' RHETORIC LEADS TO INCREASED CRITICISM [...] (C) Summary: President Morales launched his "agrarian revolution" August 2 in Ucurena, Cochabamba, declaring that if Congress does not approve the executive's land reform bill, indigenous communities will close Congress for its "ineffectiveness." Opposition parties from eastern Bolivia claim [...] |
2006-08-04 18:57:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2112 |
CENTRAL BANK OUTLOOK POSITIVE [...] (SBU) Summary: According to a Central Bank official, Bolivia's macroeconomic situation is positive overall, with first semester GDP growth of 4.3 percent, strong fiscal revenue inflows, low deficit projections, moderate inflation, high international reserves, and a sound banking system. Howev [...] |
2006-08-04 19:01:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD BL |
| 06LAPAZ2120 |
STATE OF THE UNION [...] (SBU) Summary: In a rambling two and a half hour state of the union address kicking off the August 5 Constituent Assembly festivities in Sucre, Bolivia's historic capital, President Morales reviewed his accomplishments to date: delivery of the Constituent Assembly, economic stability and govern [...] |
2006-08-08 14:14:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2130 |
MAS' DRAFT CONSTITUTION [...] (C) Summary: President Morales' Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party is circulating a draft constitution for the Constituent Assembly, although other drafts, which we have not reviewed, seem to be circulating as well. The draft we have seen, which contains strong socialist and communist not [...] |
2006-08-08 19:16:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2138 |
LEBANON SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...] |
2006-08-08 21:22:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER MOPS UN IS BL |
| 06LAPAZ2139 |
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY INAUGURATION [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivians celebrated their independence and the inauguration of the Constituent Assembly August 6 in Sucre. Festivities included introduction of all 255 Assembly members, speeches by President Morales and Vice President Garcia Linera, a parade of Bolivia's indigenous communities [...] |
2006-08-09 13:25:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ216 |
HYDROCARBONS COMPANIES PESSIMISTIC, BUT WILLING TO [...] (SBU) Summary: In a recent meeting with the Ambassador, hydrocarbons company representatives discussed their concerns about negotiations with the incoming administration. They worried in particular about the likely absence of reasonable GOB interlocutors (subsequent ministerial appointments pr [...] |
2006-01-30 20:26:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | BEXP BL ECON EINV ENRG EPET PGOV |
| 06LAPAZ2167 |
POLICE THREATEN HUNGER STRIKE [...] (SBU) The National Association of Police, a union of lower-level officials in the national police force, declared a state of emergency on August 10, threatening a mass hunger strike if the GOB did not agree to increase police salaries. No violence has occurred. During the first week of August, [...] |
2006-08-11 20:59:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC ELAB PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ217 |
AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (C) Summary: Late January 27, Foreign Minister Choquehuanca summoned the Ambassador to apologize for the Foreign Ministry's gaffe in prematurely announcing its intention to nominate Sacha Llorentty as Bolivia's next ambassador to the U.S., and to formally submit Llorentty's credentials. He sa [...] |
2006-01-30 20:29:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2171 |
MAS INSIGHT INTO CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY [...] (C) Summary: Raul Prada, a MAS insider and Constituent Assembly representative, confirmed President Morales' plans for an all-powerful Assembly which would seek to remove all traces of colonialism from Bolivian society. Prada said procedural issues for the Assembly remain pending but he expe [...] |
2006-08-11 21:58:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2196 |
HYDROCARBONS NATIONALIZATION FACES OBSTACLES [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivia's hydrocarbons nationalization plan is facing legal and financial obstacles that have delayed its implementation. The state oil company, YPFB, lacks the necessary resources to take on its new mandated role as controller of the entire hydrocarbons production chain. The [...] |
2006-08-14 21:12:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2197 |
IDB'S FUTURE DIRECTION [...] (C) Summary: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Resident Representative told Econoff on August 11 that a donor coordination meeting to be held in Bolivia in October would likely fail to meet the GOB's anticipated funding requirements. The GOB's National Development Plan relies heavily [...] |
2006-08-14 21:13:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2207 |
EXPORTERS' EXPECTATIONS OF ATPDEA EXTENSION BEGIN [...] (SBU) Summary: Expectations of an extension of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) have begun to fade, as exporters gradually accept that the GOB stands little chance of securing a continuation of existing trade preferences. Even so, many La Paz and Santa Cruz business [...] |
2006-08-16 18:42:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2216 |
GOB NEGOTIATIONS WITH PETROBRAS STALLED [...] (C) Summary: A Petrobras executive told Econoff on August 15 that no gas price agreement had been reached between Petrobras and Bolivia's state oil company YPFB, and that in fact, YPFB never presented a price proposal during the negotiations. The GOB also lacks a plan regarding implementatio [...] |
2006-08-17 16:16:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2222 |
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING ALLEGED DEAL WITH IRAN [...] (C/NF) Press reports from Tehran state that Bolivian Minister of Economic Development Celinda Sosa signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Iran (GOI) for the expansion of industrial and mineral cooperation, but GOB officials could not confirm the signing for Embassy offici [...] |
2006-08-17 20:19:00 | Embassy La Paz | SECRET//NOFORN | ECON PGOV PREL BL IR VE |
| 06LAPAZ2246 |
MANPADS: EX-PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ ON THE DEFENSIVE [...] (S/NF) Summary: Congress will soon decide whether to approve criminal charges against ex-President Rodriguez for the transfer of MANPADS to the United States for destruction in October 2005. Given the upcoming vote, Rodriguez is ramping up his rhetoric, again denying that he approved the tran [...] |
2006-08-21 18:48:00 | Embassy La Paz | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PARM MASS MARR BL |
| 06LAPAZ2269 |
HYDROCARBONS MINISTER BASHES BRAZIL [...] (C) Summary: Hydrocarbons Minister Soliz Rada told the DCM on August 21 that Brazil's strong presence in Bolivia is the root of many of the nation's problems, particularly in the hydrocarbons sector. Soliz said that Bolivia needs to develop alternate markets to Brazil, including Argentina and [...] |
2006-08-22 15:52:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2295 |
HYDROCARBONS MINISTER IS CENSURED [...] (U) The opposition majority in the Senate -- 13 Podemos and 1 National Unity (UN) senators -- censured Hydrocarbons Minister Andres Soliz Rada on August 23 for the state oil company YPFB's alleged violations of Bolivian laws and regulations (reftel). MAS senators protested by not participatin [...] |
2006-08-24 21:03:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG EPET PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2342 |
YPFB PRESIDENT RESIGNS [...] (SBU) Summary: On August 28, President Morales announced the resignation of the President of the state oil company YPFB, Jorge Alvarado. Alvarado resigned in the face of corruption accusations related to a contract between YPFB and Iboamerica Trading (reftel). Morales also announced the repl [...] |
2006-08-29 19:47:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ENRG EPET PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2372 |
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY BRAWL OVER RULES OF DEBATE [...] (SBU) Stalemate over the rules of order for the Constituent Assembly (CA) escalated into violence late August 31 and continued into the early morning of September 1 in Sucre. Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) delegates hardened their position on a simple majority vote (the opposition supports t [...] |
2006-09-01 19:16:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2393 |
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY AT A CROSSROADS [...] (C) Summary: The Constituent Assembly is at a crossroads after political disagreements over its rules of order escalated into violence September 1, resulting in MAS delegates approving their own proposal for a majority vote on constitutional changes after opposition parties abandoned the sess [...] |
2006-09-05 21:19:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2399 |
GOB DEFIES COURT DECISION ON HYDROCARBONS CONTRACTS [...] (SBU) Summary: On September 4, the Bolivian Hydrocarbons Chamber issued a press statement to publicize the Constitutional Court's May ruling that the 74 existing shared risk contracts between state oil company YPFB and private investors are legally valid. In response, the Hydrocarbons Minist [...] |
2006-09-06 14:49:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | BL ECON EINV ENRG EPET KJUS |
| 06LAPAZ240 |
RODRIGUEZ CONCERNED ABOUT THREATS TO JUDICIARY [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting with AID Deputy Assistant Administrator Mike Magan, the Ambassador and Embassy officials on January 31, former President (and current Supreme Court President) Rodriguez shared his concerns that President Morales will threaten Bolivia's relatively young democratic ins [...] |
2006-02-01 21:05:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2406 |
BUSINESS AS USUAL, DESPITE RISING TENSIONS [...] (SBU) Summary: La Paz businessmen reacted with relative calm to the September 1 violence in the constituent assembly (reftel), declaring that business would continue as usual. While not necessarily thriving, businesses appear to have survived the uncertainty of the last few months, and most ex [...] |
2006-09-06 20:58:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ETRD ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2415 |
THE MEDIA LUNA STRIKE: WHICH SIDE WILL BLINK [...] (C) Summary: In response to growing ruling party intransigence in the Constituent Assembly charged with writing Bolivia's new constitution, the largely "media luna" (Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni, and Pando) based opposition has called a regional general strike for September 8th (reftel 02393). [...] |
2006-09-07 19:20:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2418 |
MAS STEAMROLLING CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY? [...] (C) Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) Constituent Assembly delegates approved the general outline of their own draft rules of order September 6 by simple majority (141 of 255 votes) without permitting debate. Opposition parties had attempted to postpone a vote on the rules of order by requestin [...] |
2006-09-07 20:32:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2432 |
SCENESETTER FOR VP GARCIA LINERA VISIT [...] (C) Summary: Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera will be in Washington September 10 - 13 to continue the GOB's push for an extension of ATPDEA benefits. The Vice President's visit offers the opportunity for us to express our interest in the stabilization of democracy, the lack of [...] |
2006-09-08 19:54:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | BL ECON PGOV PREL |
| 06LAPAZ2452 |
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY STALEMATE CONTINUES [...] (U) Most political and media analysts describe the regional September 8 strike as a success (see September 8 ASDAR), but the Constituent Assembly remains deadlocked, at least for the moment, over whether delegates should use a simple majority or two-thirds vote to approve constitutional change [...] |
2006-09-11 19:20:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2457 |
GOB REVISES NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN [...] (SBU) Summary: The GOB is revising its National Development Plan (NDP) based on suggestions from businesses and social organizations and conducting a debt sustainability analysis with German aid. It appears that the National Development Bank will likely be a second-tier institution, but with [...] |
2006-09-11 20:50:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN BL |
| 06LAPAZ2492 |
GOB ON GOALS FOR NAM AND UNGA [...] (SBU) Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauricio Dorfler convoked select members of the diplomatic community September 12 to review GOB goals for the NAM and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Dorfler noted that Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca would serve as the NAM's vice preside [...] |
2006-09-14 20:03:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | UNGA UNSC PREL BL CU |
| 06LAPAZ2494 |
BOLIVIA: NOT TERRIBLY HELPFUL ON THE NAM [...] No summary [...] |
2006-09-14 20:18:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PTER UNGA CU BL |
| 06LAPAZ2495 |
UNSCR 1696: BOLIVIA NOT HELPFUL [...] (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to First Secretary Eduardo Gallardo of the MFA's Office of Multilateral Relations September 20. Gallardo noted our concerns and said it would be difficult to reach consensus with the large number of countries attending the NAM. While the GOB does not h [...] |
2006-09-14 20:34:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PTER IAEA UNSC IR USSC BL |
| 06LAPAZ2505 |
BOLIVIA'S MCC FOCAL POINT EXPLAINS RESIGNATION, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Poloffs met with Bolivia's Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) point of contact, Javier Hurtado, on September 15 to discuss his still non-public resignation and to obtain his assessment of Bolivia's Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) proposal. Frustrated with inadequate finan [...] |
2006-09-15 19:14:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2506 |
VENEZUELAN AND CUBAN INFLUENCE GROWING [...] (C) Two social sector leaders, Rufo Calle and Hugo Vega (protect), independently told poloff September 14 that Venezuela and Cuba are increasingly involved in Bolivian social organizations. Rufo Calle, president of a national indigenous/labor organization (CSUTCB), said the MAS is intensifyin [...] |
2006-09-15 19:17:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL CU VE |
| 06LAPAZ251 |
PETROBRAS TALKS WITH GOB [...] (SBU) Summary: Petrobras, the largest player in the Bolivian hydrocarbons industry, had its first meeting with the Bolivian government on January 31 to begin discussing a new relationship. According to a Petrobras official, Arturo Castanos, the GOB representatives were cordial, but they only [...] |
2006-02-02 19:32:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG EPET ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2511 |
HYDROCARBONS NATIONALIZATION FUMBLING ALONG [...] (C) Summary: The Hydrocarbons Ministry issued a Ministerial Resolution on September 12 which shifts foreign companies' hydrocarbon revenues to the Bolivian state-owned company YPFB. The Resolution is legally in line with Hydrocarbons Law 3058, but comes at a time when the GOB is negotiatin [...] |
2006-09-15 21:47:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2515 |
CIVIL LIBERTIES UPDATE [...] (C) Summary: GOB-initiated legal actions and MAS efforts to seek a new constitution to its liking raise questions about GOB respect for civil liberties. An update on three leading cases underscores this issue and highlights the need for greater judicial independence as well as guarantees of [...] |
2006-09-18 16:31:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2519 |
HYDROCARBONS MINISTER RESIGNS [...] (SBU) Hydrocarbons Minister Andres Soliz Rada, along with the Vice Minister and two Directors of Hydrocarbons, resigned on the evening of September 15 following Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera's freeze of a ministerial resolution that would have shifted hydrocarbons companies' revenues to [...] |
2006-09-18 18:27:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2538 |
GARCIA LINERA "CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC" AFTER [...] (SBU) Summary: Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera told a leading La Paz businessman September 16 that he was "cautiously optimistic" after his September 11-13 trip to Washington, as some U.S. officials seemed to look favorably on Bolivia's push for an extension of the Andean Trade Promotion a [...] |
2006-09-19 17:37:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2539 |
BLUE LANTERN END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 05-967792 [...] (U) Econoff visited Bolivian National Police headquarters and a La Paz storage site September 19 to confirm continued possession of hand grenades exported September 2, 2005 to the Bolivian Ministry of Government. Econoff and NAS staff verified continued possession by the National Police of ap [...] |
2006-09-19 18:29:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETTC KOMC BL |
| 06LAPAZ2557 |
GARCIA LINERA URGES CAMPESINOS TO TAKE UP ARMS [...] (SBU) Although Acting President Alvaro Garcia Linera met with all nine prefects (governors) September 19 in an effort to resolve continuing stalemate over the Constituent Assembly's rules of order and to express the GOB's willingness to negotiate, he sent a very different message September 20 [...] |
2006-09-21 18:26:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2562 |
SANTA CRUZ BLOCKADE FIZZLES [...] (C) The September 20 anti-opposition blockade of Santa Cruz has apparently failed. Participation was sporadic at best. Lack of support among social sectors and heavy rain contributed to low protester turnout. Press reported no more than a dozen or so protesters at each location. There was [...] |
2006-09-21 20:53:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2563 |
ASSESSMENT OF NIH PROJECT FOREIGN POLICY [...] (U) Post sees no negative foreign policy implications of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) project described in reftel. Post provides a positive recommendation pending human subject approval, on the understanding that researchers will obtain verbal consent from study participants. 2. [...] |
2006-09-21 20:53:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO OSCI KSCA BL |
| 06LAPAZ2564 |
LA PAZ BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS REMAIN RELUCTANT TO [...] (U) Summary: In September 20 meetings, representatives of La Paz business associations voiced concerns about the nature of Bolivia's economy, the direction of GOB economic policies, and the outcome of the Constituent Assembly. Despite their worries, representatives remain reluctant to criticiz [...] |
2006-09-21 20:54:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ETRD ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2576 |
INSIDERS' VIEW INTO THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY [...] (C) Summary: Several opposition representatives in the Constituent Assembly (CA) told poloff September 18-20 that the Assembly is in "complete chaos." Two of the delegates blamed the Assembly's inefficiency on delegate inexperience and the MAS' heavy hand. They also complained about surveilla [...] |
2006-09-25 16:18:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2586 |
BOLIVIA SUPPORTS BUSH WAR ON TERRORISM SPEECH [...] No summary [...] |
2006-09-25 20:51:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2598 |
GOB DELAYS SIGNING OF MUTUN CONTRACT [...] (SBU) GOB officials announced September 22 that they would delay until mid-October the signing of a joint-venture contract allowing India's Jindal Steel and Power to develop Mutun, one of the world's largest iron ore deposits. The firm won the right to exploit Mutun's estimated 40 billion ton [...] |
2006-09-26 20:10:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2599 |
CENTRAL BANK INDEPENDENCE THREATENED [...] (C) Summary: A Central Bank Director told Econoff on September 21 that GOB cabinet members were increasingly interfering in the bank's daily policy decisions. He lamented "disarray" at the bank due to high level personnel changes and feared that the GOB would change the Central Bank Law to fo [...] |
2006-09-26 20:18:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2600 |
LAND REFORM SOWS CONFLICT [...] (SBU) Summary: The MAS administration has presented a bill to Congress to modify the 1996 Agrarian Reform (INRA) law, in line with its pre-election promises to redistribute land to the landless. Members of the administration have encouraged social sectors to mobilize marches and blockades to f [...] |
2006-09-26 20:20:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2602 |
SANTA CRUZ: POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY FED UP [...] No summary [...] |
2006-09-26 20:52:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2603 |
SANTA CRUZ: FRUSTRATED AND ANNOYED WITH MORALES [...] (C) Summary: Charge visited Santa Cruz September 23-24 and met with politicians and the business community, as well as participated in the opening of Bolivia's largest trade fair, Expocruz. Virtually all interlocultors expressed frustration, annoyance, and great uncertainty when it comes [...] |
2006-09-26 21:59:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2609 |
TRADE AGREEMENT COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING [...] (U) Post provides the following response to reftel: A) In the absence of USDOC or USDA representation, primary responsibility for trade agreement compliance and monitoring lies with the economic/political section, whose officers work closely with Washington counterparts. B) Economic/Commer [...] |
2006-09-27 17:59:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EINV ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2610 |
LLOYD AEREO BOLIVIANO: FINDING ITS WINGS? [...] (SBU) Summary: Lloyd Aereo Boliviano executives say the company may be finding its wings, as the firm has boosted its five-jet fleet with two leased aircraft and is gradually identifying and settling debts. Despite this good news, the outlook is far from certain. Rumors of interest from a UK [...] |
2006-09-27 18:02:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2622 |
TEXTILES AND APPAREL: CONTINUED RELIANCE ON ATPDEA [...] (U) Summary: While the expiration of global textile and apparel quotas may have adversely affected small Bolivian producers, large manufacturers' exports will likely remain strong, at least as long as they benefit from Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) preferences. If t [...] |
2006-09-28 18:49:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON KTEX BL |
| 06LAPAZ2623 |
JAPAN'S SUMITOMO ACQUIRES STAKE IN U.S. MINING [...] (U) Summary: Japan's Sumitomo Corporation recently acquired a 35 percent participating interest in U.S.-based Apex Silver's $800 million San Cristobal silver-zinc-lead project (reftel). Apex will receive $224 million cash and future silver and zinc payments; Sumitomo will also assume 35 perce [...] |
2006-09-28 18:56:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2626 |
SPAIN: A BEACON OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY [...] (U) Summary: For many Bolivians, Spain is a beacon of economic opportunity. Newspapers highlight an upsurge in travel, airlines report full flights to Madrid, and business owners say skilled craftsmen are increasingly seeking work abroad. Bolivians' desire to escape may reflect growing polit [...] |
2006-09-28 20:35:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ2627 |
BOLIVIA - PARAGUAY RELATIONS HIT A BUMP, BOUNCE [...] (C) Summary: Bolivian Interior Vice Minister Rafael Puente's September 27 statement calling Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte a "cynical liar" caused a diplomatic roil between Bolivia and Paraguay which ended with an official apology by the GOB and Puente's dismissal. End summary. 2. [...] |
2006-09-28 20:37:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2636 |
MAS MACHINATIONS AT CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY POLARIZE [...] (C) Summary: On September 28 in Sucre, on almost purely party lines, the Constituent Assembly (CA) voted in favor of Evo Morales' MAS party's proposal that it declare itself an "originary" organ, and thus theoretically superior to all other branches of government, including the legislature th [...] |
2006-09-29 18:43:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2638 |
BOLIVIAN ECONOMY HUMS ALONG DESPITE UNCERTAINTY [...] Summary: Bolivia's GDP grew by 4.5 percent during the first semester of 2006 due to high international prices for the country's main exports: hydrocarbons and minerals. Exports grew by 52 percent in the first six months compared with the same period in 2005, contributing to an increase in int [...] |
2006-09-29 18:57:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV ENRG EPET ETRD BL |
| 06LAPAZ2657 |
MORALES: WALKING A FINE LINE ON DRUGS [...] (C) Summary: Following the September 29 death of two civilians who ambushed a GOB eradication operation in Carrasco National Park in Cochabamba, the Embassy's NAS section will begin supporting GOB eradication efforts in the park at the GOB's request. President Morales started spinning the conf [...] |
2006-10-02 20:18:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2661 |
GAS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS STUMBLE FORWARD [...] (C) Summary: Based on the May 1 hydrocarbons nationalization decree's mandate that private firms must sign new contracts by October 31 (ref A), the GOB recently provided hydrocarbons companies with draft contracts and began the first round of negotiations with companies on September 27. U.S.- [...] |
2006-10-03 12:03:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2674 |
BOLIVIAN GLACIERS RECEDING RAPIDLY [...] (U) Summary: Bolivian glaciers are receding so rapidly, say scientists, that most could disappear within the next ten to 15 years, with alarming implications for potable water and hydroelectric energy supplies. Scientists tie the last two decades' acceleration in glacial melt to the greater i [...] |
2006-10-03 21:06:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2683 |
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY: TRUE MAS INTENTIONS? [...] (C) Poloff met with approximately twenty Constituent Assembly representatives in Sucre September 28-29 and observed the Assembly's chaotic operations. Following the MAS' approval of Article 1 of the rules of order by simple majority (reftel), the principal debate among opposition delegates wa [...] |
2006-10-04 19:02:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2698 |
DEADLY MINER CLASH IN ORURO [...] (U) On October 5, armed clashes broke out in the mining town of Huanuni, in the Department of Oruro; they are continuing now. Firefights erupted after independent miners overran the state owned Posokoni mine, demanding jobs that they alleged had been promised to them. The independent miner [...] |
2006-10-05 21:36:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2717 |
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY: PLENIPOTENTIARY DEBATE [...] (C) Nationwide debate continues over the Constituent Assembly's declared "plenipotentiary" nature, with Supreme Court President Hector Sandoval and President Morales exchanging public barbs about the other's "interference" in Assembly matters. Following MAS party leader Ramon Loayza's return [...] |
2006-10-06 21:24:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2718 |
AYMARA HEARTLAND PREPARED TO MOBILIZE FOR [...] (SBU) Summary: On September 28, leaders from Omasuyos Province in La Paz department, a majority Aymara area, threatened to march to Sucre or Santa Cruz to pressure Constituent Assembly members to agree to the MAS' agenda. Leaders from the province told Emboff on October 4 that they had not yet [...] |
2006-10-06 21:25:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2719 |
DEADLY MINING CLASH CONTINUES [...] (C) Summary: Fighting between cooperative miners and workers of the state-owned mining company COMIBOL broke out in Huanuni on October 5 (reftel) and continued on the 6th, despite temporary truces agreed on October 5 and 6. At this time, it appears that the second truce is holding and that fi [...] |
2006-10-06 22:04:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EMIN ELAB PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2723 |
MINING: FIGHTING ENDS, TALKS BEGIN [...] (SBU) Summary: In response to deadly clashes between state mining workers and independent cooperative miners in Huanuni, President Morales replaced the mining minister and the head of the state-owned mining company COMIBOL on October 7. A GOB commission held talks with both sides on October [...] |
2006-10-10 19:42:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB EMIN PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2724 |
TRANSIT STRIKE CONTINUES [...] (U) La Paz public transportation workers began a 24-hour strike October 9 to protest La Paz Mayor Juan del Granado's plan for redirecting downtown traffic. The city implemented the plan October 6 to improve traffic flows; transportation workers complain that the new routes are causing confusi [...] |
2006-10-10 19:55:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2726 |
VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR PLEDGES DEFENSE OF GOB; GOV [...] (C) Summary: President Morales convoked cocaleros of the Chapare October 7 to publicly demonstrate against the U.S.'s hedged certification of Bolivia on counternarcotics and to defend his coca policies. Standing at President Morales' side, Venezuelan Ambassador Julio Montes pledged to defend [...] |
2006-10-10 20:57:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2729 |
MINERS THREATEN BLOCKADE; POLITICAL STAND-OFF [...] (U) Following last week,s violent conflict in Huanuni and failed talks with the government (reftel), the Cooperative Mining Federation threatened to blockade roads throughout the country or march to La Paz if the government does not agree to provide compensation for the victims, families and fo [...] |
2006-10-11 20:26:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ELAB EMIN PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2730 |
RESPONSE TO LAC BIOFUELS INITIATIVE [...] (U) Summary: This cable responds to the questions posed in reftel on the investment climate, the energy sector and the sugar industry in Bolivia. The investment climate, particularly in natural resource industries, is poor due to legal uncertainty and increasing governmental interference. Bo [...] |
2006-10-11 20:27:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ENRG PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2732 |
BOLIVIAN-VENEZUELAN MILITARY AGREEMENT [...] (C) Summary: The Bolivian senate suspended its October 10 vote on a Bolivian-Venezuelan military agreement signed by Presidents Morales and Chavez May 26, postponing further debate to the week of October 16. The agreement provides for a wide range of military cooperation, including high level [...] |
2006-10-11 21:41:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2743 |
A WORRIED MORALES ATTEMPTS TO WOO THE MIDDLE CLASS [...] (U) President Morales spoke October 12 at a rally intended to "defend Bolivian democracy," as well as to close the international indigenous meeting held in La Paz October 8-12. Speaking for forty minutes to a bussed in and largely passive crowd we estimate at approximately 6,000 (but which p [...] |
2006-10-12 19:37:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ275 |
STAFFDEL BRENNAN: GREETING THE NEW BOLIVIA [...] (SBU) Summary: During their January 24-27 visit to Bolivia, staffdel Brennan (House International Relations Committee staff Ted Brennan, Kristen Gilley, Paul Oostburg-Sanz, Mark Walker, and Dan Getz) met with Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera, newly-minted legislators and ministers, Santa C [...] |
2006-02-06 18:36:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV SOCI ELAB BL |
| 06LAPAZ2756 |
FIRST MEETING ON NEW SOFA AGREEMENT [...] (C) Summary: Embassy officials met with Bolivian Minister of Defense Walker San Miguel October 10 regarding the Embassy's pending request for return of the F-10 counterterrorism equipment and the need for an updated SOFA agreement (reftels). San Miguel expressed concern about the continuing M [...] |
2006-10-13 21:56:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PGOV MARR MASS MCAP PREL KTIA MOPS BL |
| 06LAPAZ276 |
GOB TRADE POLICY REMAINS UNCLEAR [...] In conversations with USG officials, President Morales and Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera have repeatedly said they understand the importance of free trade and may wish to negotiate Bolivia's entry into the proposed Andean Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Both have indicated their desire to im [...] |
2006-02-06 18:37:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EINV ECON PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2770 |
TELECOMMUNICATIONS UPDATE [...] (SBU) Summary: The Bolivian telecommunications sector has grown and increased in competitiveness significantly since privatization and market opening during the last decade. The GOB announced in June that it would seek to regain majority ownership of the former state-owned telecommunications [...] |
2006-10-16 18:17:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ECPS EINV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2780 |
MORALES ANNOUNCES "SURPRISES" FOR MINING INDUSTRY [...] (SBU) Summary: President Morales announced October 15 that the mining industry should expect "surprises" permitting the state to regain control of mineral production. His comments caused anxiety among U.S. mining company executives, who said October 16 that they were "nervous" about the GOB's [...] |
2006-10-16 21:15:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2781 |
GOVERNMENT OF BOLIVIA ALIENATES ITS POLITICAL BASE [...] (C) Summary: During an October 13 visit, Emboff met with leaders from several key social movements, including the Santa Cruz Departmental Federation of Rural Workers (FDTCSC), the Santa Cruz Federation of Neighborhood Committees (FEJUVE), and Departmental Labor Union (COD). This cable repo [...] |
2006-10-17 11:35:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ279 |
BANKING UPDATE: CENTRAL BANK, DEVELOPMENT BANK, [...] (SBU) Summary: Bolivia's Central Bank President plans to soon complete his 10-year stint as President, leaving the country in a stellar macroeconomic state, but with many uncertainties looming on the horizon. Several Venezuelan government officials recently met with Bolivia's Bank Superinten [...] |
2006-02-06 19:29:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2798 |
STAND-OFF BETWEEN MINERS AND GOB CONTINUES [...] (U) Summary: Nearly two weeks after October 5-6 clashes between cooperative miners and state mining employees (reftel), the stand-off between miners and the GOB continues. Cooperatives accepted a GOB proposal to provide compensation to affected families but rejected an offer to convert cooper [...] |
2006-10-17 20:10:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN ELAB EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2814 |
MAS TACTICS ALIENATE SANTA CRUZ NEIGHBORHOOD [...] (C) This is the second in a series of three cables reporting on Emboff's meetings with Santa Cruz social movements. On October 13 Emboff met with the leadership of the Santa Cruz Federation of Neighborhood Committees (FEJUVE). FEJUVE, in some ways analogous with a condominium association, [...] |
2006-10-18 19:21:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2817 |
UPDATE ON YPFB NEGOTIATIONS WITH ARGENTINA, [...] (SBU) Summary: YPFB (Bolivia's state-owned oil company) President Juan Carlos Ortiz told Econoff on October 18 that Bolivia will sign a twenty-year natural gas supply contract with Argentina on October 19. Bolivia will agree to provide 27.7 million cubic meters per day of gas to its neighbor [...] |
2006-10-18 20:09:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2821 |
MORALES RAISES EYEBROWS WITH LE MONDE INTERVIEW [...] (U) French newspaper Le Monde published an article October 17 entitled "Bolivia: Evo Morales and the Terrible Conspiracy," in which President Morales said that "the right" (the United States and the political opposition in Bolivia) are conspiring to topple his government. Morales discussed t [...] |
2006-10-18 21:14:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2831 |
CONFLICT AND GOB'S LACK OF CAPACITY HINDERS [...] (SBU) Summary: On October 17, the resident coordinator of the United Nations (UN) told the Ambassador that the UN supported the Constituent Assembly as a way to unify Bolivia's population, but was worried that it would end up dividing it instead. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) resident [...] |
2006-10-19 16:57:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EFIN EINV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2840 |
MAS SPLITS KEY UNION IN SANTA CRUZ [...] (C) This is the third in a series of three cables reporting on Emboff's meetings with Santa Cruz social movements. On October 13 Emboff met with Edwin Fernandes, leader of the Santa Cruz Departmental Labor Union, known by its Spanish initials COD. Each of the country's nine departments has [...] |
2006-10-20 15:33:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2860 |
GOB, MINERS SIGN AGREEMENT ENDING STAND-OFF [...] (SBU) Summary: The GOB and miners signed an agreement October 23 ending the political stand-off that emerged after October 5-6 clashes between cooperative miners and state mining employees in Huanuni (reftel). Radio reports indicate that members of the region's four cooperatives accepted the [...] |
2006-10-24 10:55:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN ELAB EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2880 |
ARGENTINA AND BOLIVIA SIGN GAS DEAL [...] (U) Argentina and Bolivia signed a twenty-year energy agreement October 19 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (reftel) that will go into effect on January 1, 2007. In addition to increasing the volume of natural gas that Bolivia will supply to Argentina to 27.7 million cubic meters per day within three y [...] |
2006-10-25 12:07:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2900 |
HYDROCARBONS CONTRACT DEADLINE DRAWS NEAR [...] (C) Summary: The press published a copy of the model contract supposedly provided by the GOB to the hydrocarbons companies who must sign new contracts by October 28, according to the May 1 nationalization decree. The contract appears highly favorable to Bolivia's state oil company, YPFB. Pe [...] |
2006-10-25 21:33:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2903 |
CLEAN PRODUCTION PRACTICES INCREASE EFFICIENCY, [...] (U) Summary: Clean production practices introduced by the USAID-supported Center for the Promotion of Sustainable Technologies have increased efficiency and lowered costs for more than 90 Bolivian businesses. The following case studies suggest that lower production costs provide powerful ince [...] |
2006-10-26 16:20:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ENRG BL |
| 06LAPAZ2906 |
VENEZUELAN MILITARY ACCORD STALLED IN SENATE [...] (C) Summary: The Venezuelan - Bolivian military cooperation agreement, already approved by the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) dominated lower house, appears to be stalled in the Senate Defense Commission. Four hours of closed door hearings on October 25 with the Commander of the Armed Forc [...] |
2006-10-26 18:16:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2910 |
VP, AMBASSADOR DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE BILATERAL [...] (C) Summary: In their first meeting since the Ambassador presented his credentials October 13, the Ambassador and Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera engaged in a cordial exchange October 26 on U.S. assistance, extension of ATPDEA benefits, Morales' anti-American discourse, military relations a [...] |
2006-10-27 13:08:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM ECON SNAR PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2912 |
ECUADORIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO ATTEND [...] (U) An article and a full page advertisement in the October 26 edition of the Bolivian daily La Razon states that Ecuadorian presidential candidate Rafael Correa will be attending a conference in Bolivia titled the "First Meeting of the Peoples and States for the Liberation of the Homeland -- [...] |
2006-10-27 14:54:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2930 |
BLUE LANTERN PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON [...] (U) Summary: On October 26, Econoff spoke to the proprietor of foreign consignee Camping Cochabamba, having visited the business in November 2005 (ref B). Camping Cochabamba has a history of importing firearms from the United States, maintains detailed sales and customer records, and has appr [...] |
2006-10-27 16:47:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETTC KOMC BL |
| 06LAPAZ2932 |
INDIGENOUS INTERNS ON RACISM, NATIONALIZATION AND [...] (SBU) Three of the Mission's indigenous interns met with Poloff October 18 and expressed their views on discrimination in Bolivian society, the continued popularity of nationalization, and the reasons for anti-American sentiment in Bolivia. The root cause of discrimination, per the consensus [...] |
2006-10-27 17:50:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2934 |
PILCOMAYO RIVER POLLUTION ATTRACTS NEW ATTENTION [...] (U) Summary: For centuries, mining and milling wastes from Bolivia's Potosi mining district have polluted the Pilcomayo River, an important body of water in Bolivia's southwest. A recent study indicated that many agricultural fields and waterways are contaminated with heavy metals and arsenic, [...] |
2006-10-27 18:42:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | EMIN ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2943 |
GOB ACHIEVES KEY GOAL: NEW GAS CONTRACTS [...] (SBU) Summary: All of the private hydrocarbons exploration and production companies operating in Bolivia signed new service contracts on October 27 and 28 prior to the deadline imposed by the GOB's May 1 nationalization decree. According to the president of Bolivia's state oil company, YPFB, [...] |
2006-10-30 21:23:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2944 |
PROPOSED MINING PLAN CONTINUES TO "SPOOK" INVESTORS [...] (SBU) President Morales' October 15 announcement of "surprises" for the mining industry (ref A) has been tempered in the last two weeks by assurances that the GOB will respect private investment. Officials' statements, however, have done little to reassure industry executives, who worry that [...] |
2006-10-30 21:45:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2945 |
DIVIDING UP THE SPOILS: GAS REVENUE DEBATE [...] (SBU) With the signature of gas accords October 28, the GOB estimates that hydrocarbons production will generate USD 2 billion next year, with USD 1.3 billion going to the government as a result of new production contracts (septel), and USD 4 billion within four years, with USD 2.4 billion des [...] |
2006-10-30 21:46:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EPET PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2967 |
GAS CONTRACTS HAVE VARIABLE RETURN RATES [...] (C) Summary: The new contracts signed by hydrocarbons production and exploration companies on October 27 and 28 (ref A) contain tables of variables, including investment and production figures, which will be used to calculate company returns and the state oil company YPFB's take. The amount of [...] |
2006-10-31 21:17:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ2976 |
GOB POSTPONES MINING PLAN UNTIL 2007 [...] (U) Summary: President Morales chose not to unveil his much-hyped mining plan October 31 (ref A), instead announcing that the GOB would postpone it until 2007, ostensibly because of a lack of financing. Morales attempted to divert attention to a supreme decree authorizing the conversion of co [...] |
2006-11-01 17:34:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ2979 |
ASSESSMENT OF NIH PROJECT FOREIGN POLICY [...] (U) Post sees no negative foreign policy implications of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) project described in reftel. Post provides a positive recommendation pending human subject approval, on the understanding that NIH researchers have received concurrence from related U.S. and Boliv [...] |
2006-11-01 20:22:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO OSCI KSCA BL |
| 06LAPAZ299 |
AFTER BRIEF INTERRUPTION, USED CLOTHING IMPORTS [...] (U) Summary: Used clothing imports were temporarily interrupted January 31, when the supreme decree authorizing their entry expired. The issue attracted the attention of local clothing manufacturers, who claimed cheap imports undercut their operations and called for a total ban, and of used c [...] |
2006-02-07 14:35:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EINV ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ2992 |
MORALES' SHRINKING CIRCLE OF SUPPORT? [...] (C) Summary: Evo Morales rode a wave of popularity to the Bolivian presidency, winning the December 2005 elections by the largest margin in Bolivia's democratic history. Throughout that campaign, and to a lesser extent during the July Constituent Assembly elections, his support base consisted [...] |
2006-11-03 18:17:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ2995 |
TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER [...] (C) U.S. Embassy La Paz has designated Ecopol Chief Andrew Erickson (591-2-216-8254, EricksonAS@state.gov) as the Terrorism Finance Coordination Officer and Economic Officer Dovie Holland (591-2-216-8862, HollandDA2@state.gov) as the Deputy Terrorism Finance Coordination Officer. 2. (C) Fol [...] |
2006-11-03 20:04:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER KTFN BL |
| 06LAPAZ2998 |
PETROBRAS' NEW CONTRACT [...] (C) Along with nine other companies, Brazil's Petrobras signed a new hydrocarbons production and exploration contract on October 28 (reftel). Petrobras executives told Econoff on November 1 that the company's rate of return would be lower than that of its original contract, but better than the [...] |
2006-11-03 20:47:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ3000 |
ALO PRESIDENTE ... MORALES? [...] (SBU) According to press reports, President Evo Morales plans to start his own weekly radio call-in program, similar to the "Alo Presidente" program hosted by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Bolivian Director of Government Communications Gaston Nunez explained the show may launch as early as [...] |
2006-11-06 12:40:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ3008 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR NASA'S LESLIE BEBOUT [...] Embassy La Paz is pleased to grant country clearance to Leslie Bebout, Ames Research Center, NASA to travel to Bolivia's Laguna Verde Refuge November 10-22, 2006 to conduct field work at Earth's highest altitude lakes and ponds. Clearance is granted on the understanding that Ms. Bebout has [...] |
2006-11-06 20:04:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | APER ASEC OTRA TSPA BL |
| 06LAPAZ3019 |
VICE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT DESCRIBES [...] (SBU) Bolivia's vice minister of environment recently described a "cosmocentric-holistic" vision of environmental management, declaring that the state should direct a collective development process to ensure shared, broadly beneficial access to natural resources. The vice minister argued that [...] |
2006-11-07 20:03:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ3032 |
THE GOB'S MINING PLAN: NO "TRUE" NATIONALIZATION? [...] (SBU) GOB officials declared November 7 and 8 that the Morales administration will not "nationalize" the mining sector, providing assurances that the GOB has no intention of expropriating company assets. Instead, the government will reportedly concentrate on implementing a three-part vision of [...] |
2006-11-08 21:27:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ3040 |
THE PUSH FOR MONEY LAUNDERING LEGISLATION [...] (SBU) Bolivia's current anti-money laundering regime fails to comply with international norms and is ineffective. Based on INL's recommendations, post has encouraged the GOB to enact a comprehensive money laundering law, including terrorism finance provisions, has formed an informal working g [...] |
2006-11-09 20:39:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN BL |
| 06LAPAZ3041 |
LOWER HOUSE APPROVES FRAMEWORK FOR LAND REFORM [...] (SBU) Summary: The framework of the Morales administration's controversial bill to modify the 1996 agrarian reform (INRA) law (reftel) was approved by the lower house on November 7, after a week-long march by several hundred indigenous people in the eastern lowlands. The chamber of deputies m [...] |
2006-11-09 20:40:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ECON KJUS SMIG SOCI BL |
| 06LAPAZ3051 |
IN COCHABAMBA, BUSINESS AS USUAL [...] (U) Cochabamba business association representatives told Econoff November 9 that business continues as usual, despite ongoing political and economic uncertainty. They noted that while they share a desire for economic stability and judicial security with their La Paz and Santa Cruz counterparts [...] |
2006-11-13 20:35:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ3053 |
A NEW OUTLOOK FOR BOLIVIA'S NATIONAL CARRIER? [...] (SBU) Lloyd Aereo Boliviano's general manager recently predicted a new outlook for Bolivia's national carrier, noting that the firm now has seven jets, up from one a few months ago, and has renewed service to a range of domestic and international destinations. Executives have made progress id [...] |
2006-11-14 15:32:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ3056 |
AMBASSADOR GOLDBERG'S VISIT TO POTOSI [...] (SBU) Ambassador Goldberg made his first official visit to the city of Potosi November 6. During the one-day trip he was welcomed by the president of the Independent Miners' Association of Potosi and received the highest honor (the coat of arms of the Villa Imperial) ever given to an ambass [...] |
2006-11-14 16:29:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ3060 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR NASA'S COMPTON TUCKER [...] Embassy La Paz is pleased to grant country clearance to Compton J. Tucker, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, to travel to Santa Cruz, Bolivia December 5-16, 2006 for analysis of global positioning system and satellite data from glacial areas. Clearance is granted on the understanding th [...] |
2006-11-14 19:54:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT AFIN ASEC TSPA OTRA BL |
| 06LAPAZ3061 |
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY- VOTING ON VOTING [...] (SBU) After months of stalemate, the Constituent Assembly (CA) will take up its final pending rule of order-- its voting mechanism-- November 14-15. Morales' Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party has publicly declared that if it cannot reach consensus with the opposition on its "mixed proposal [...] |
2006-11-14 21:48:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ3062 |
GARCIA LINERA'S RADICAL PAST RESURFACES [...] (SBU) Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera's membership in the indigenous-based terrorist group the Tupak Katari Guerilla Army (EGTK), the armed wing of the Tupak Katari Revolutionary Liberation Movement (MRTKL), resurfaced recently as press reports focused on the progress of his petition with [...] |
2006-11-14 21:51:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PGOV PREL PHUM BL |
| 06LAPAZ3063 |
MAS CONGRESS: SIGNS OF RADICALIZATION [...] (C) Summary: At its annual congress in Cochabamba November 11-13, President Morales' Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party re-elected Morales as the party leader, after which he chastised the party for infighting. The congress then decided to tighten party discipline and declare that MAS poli [...] |
2006-11-14 21:58:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ3071 |
BOLIVIA'S TITLE II ASSISTANCE HELPS SLASH [...] (U) Tens of thousands of Bolivian children, many in isolated rural areas, suffer from chronic malnutrition. Many simply lack appropriate food, while others suffer from parasites and infectious diseases that hamper the body's ability to retain nutrients. With PL 480 Title II support, administ [...] |
2006-11-15 18:04:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EAGR ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ3079 |
FINANCE AND PLANNING MINISTERS LAY OUT GOB [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting on November 10, Finance Minister Arce told the Ambassador that Bolivia has a positive fiscal balance, but that the government must resolve the inequitable distribution of resources among the central government and regional governments. Arce said that the ministry is [...] |
2006-11-15 21:15:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON EFIN EINV BL |
| 06LAPAZ3080 |
HYDROCARBONS: A NATIONALIZATION IN NAME ONLY? [...] (C) A British Gas executive told Econoff that he thought the company's new operation contract (reftel) was equitable and would allow BG to recoup its investment and invest more in the future. Opposition leaders and leftist radicals agree that Bolivia's "nationalization" was in fact a national [...] |
2006-11-15 21:39:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET BL |
| 06LAPAZ3081 |
AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES COCA, MONEY LAUNDERING, AND [...] (C) In a meeting on November 15, President of the Chamber of Deputies, Edmundo Novillo told the Ambassador that he supported rationalization of coca, but also depenalization and industrialization of the coca leaf. Novillo acknowledged the importance of an effective money laundering regime and [...] |
2006-11-15 21:44:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ3085 |
AMBASSADOR GOLDBERG'S VISIT TO TARIJA [...] (U) Ambassador Goldberg made his first official visit to the city of Tarija November 6-7. During the two-day trip the Ambassador met with national and local Tarijeno politicians, the Tarija city council, businessmen, academics, Fulbright alumni, Peace Corp volunteers, and farmers. The city [...] |
2006-11-16 12:05:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ3090 |
GOB SHRINKS FROM THREATS AGAINST SWISS MINING FIRM [...] (SBU) President Morales announced October 23 that the GOB would unveil plans for the mines and mills of Swiss mining powerhouse Glencore International, whose Bolivian subsidiary controls properties once held by former President Gonzalo "Goni" Sanchez de Lozada. The GOB later backed away from i [...] |
2006-11-16 17:34:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EINV ECON PREL PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ3096 |
LOWER HOUSE PASSES LAND REFORM BILL [...] (SBU) Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) members of the lower house of congress approved a land reform bill on November 15 after opposition members abandoned the session. The bill will now go to the senate, where it is likely to be blocked by the political opposition. The bill provides for the [...] |
2006-11-16 20:35:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON PGOV BL |
| 06LAPAZ3098 |
BOLIVIA: ADVANCING U.S. EFFORTS ON WATER AND [...] (U) Significant numbers of Bolivians lack access to clean water and sanitation. GOB authorities at all levels recognize the problem and have committed to expanding access to basic services; many have worked closely with U.S. and other international donors to boost water and sanitation coverag [...] |
2006-11-17 18:53:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL PGOV SENV BL |
| 06LAPAZ3107 |
AMBASSADOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT DISCUSS BILATERAL [...] (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador on November 15, Senate President Santos Ramirez stated his support for the passage of money laundering legislation, but made it clear that his focus is on the rapid passage of an anti-corruption bill. The Ambassador explained the humanitarian goals of the [...] |
2006-11-20 14:54:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON MASS MCAP KTIA MOPS BL |
| 06LAPAZ3128 |
AMBASSADOR GOLDBERG NOVEMBER 9 COCHABAMBA VISIT [...] (SBU) Ambassador Goldberg traveled November 9 to Cochabamba to meet with the mayor, social sector leaders, business leaders, the local American population, and local media and political analysts. The trip received extensive press coverage and provided an opportunity to publicly highlight ou [...] |
2006-11-20 19:41:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL BL |
| 06LAPAZ3131 |
SIX OF NINE GOVERNORS "BREAK TIES" WITH GOB [...] (SBU) On November 17, the GOB announced a new plan, comprised of a law and supreme decree, which would permit the Bolivian congress to supervise and censure department prefects (governors). The GOB argues the plan is meant to provide assurances to the public that local authorities spend funds [...] |
2006-11-20 21:00:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ3132 |
MAS PUSHES FORWARD WITH SIMPLE MAJORITY [...] (C) Over the objections of the political opposition, President Morales' Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party imposed its proposal for a simple majority vote for constitutional changes, with a two-thirds vote on the final text of the constitution and a limited "veto" for the opposition, on No [...] |
2006-11-20 21:19:00 | Embassy La Paz | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL ECON BL |
| 06LAPAZ3147 |
BOLIVIA HOSTS INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE [...] (SBU) From October 24-26, Bolivia's eastern city of Santa Cruz hosted a conference of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from over eighty countries. The theme of the conference was "respecting the human rights of migrants." The Santa Cruz Declaration, the conference's main product, f [...] |
2006-11-22 16:21:00 | Embassy La Paz | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | |