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DE RUEHLP #0587 0651941
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P 061941Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8315
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 5645
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000587 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2016 
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL SNAR SOCI BL
SUBJECT: DISSENT IN EVO'S RANKS 
 
 
Classified By: Amb. David N. Greenlee for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) Giovanny Hervas, a social sector leader from the 
altiplano, told poloff on March 2 that there is a growing 
discontent among his peers with the Morales government. 
Hervas, who is associated with the Fejuve of El Alto (and 
will soon run for the presidency of that organization), the 
Yungas cocaleros and the Rural Workers Federation, said he 
wants to work with the Embassy on issues of common interest 
against the MAS government. 
 
¶2. (C)  Hervas stated unequivocally that his organizations 
"aren't behind Morales."  He criticized Morales' proposal to 
depenalize coca beyond the current legal limits, stating that 
such an effort will increase competition for the traditional 
coca growers in the Yungas and bring down the price of the 
leaf.  Hervas spoke with disdain about the MAS proposal for 
the Constituent Assembly (CA) because it fails to represent 
the indigenous or social sectors.  He had similar criticisms 
of MAS threats to mobilize protests if Congress doesn't pass 
the CA enabling legislation, saying that "we don't want 
blockades."  Hervas also expressed concern about Morales' 
cabinet, saying that they lack experience and vision. 
 
¶3. (C) Comment: Hervas is associated with traditionally 
confrontational organizations from the altiplano which 
typically support President Morales.  It is no small thing 
that his organizations are now beginning to express dissent. 
These concerns are being echoed in varying degrees by a 
number of social sector and indigenous contacts.  Morales' 
ability to manage the reactions of these groups- his supposed 
allies- will be key to the medium-to-long-term success of his 
government.  Regardless of our policy direction in Bolivia, 
working more closely with these social sector representatives 
on a wide range of issues seems most beneficial to USG 
interests.  End comment. 
GREENLEE