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DE RUEHLP #0386/01 0441230
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P 131230Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2452
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6529
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3853
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7738
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4983
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2222
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2318
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3313
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4403
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4865
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9453
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0143
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 000386 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017 
TAGS: ASCH PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW EDUCATION MINISTER 
 
REF: LA PAZ 1711 (2006) 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg 
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
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Summary 
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¶1. (C)  On February 8, the Ambassador made his first call 
on new Education Minister Victor Caceres.  Unlike meetings 
with former Minister Patzi, the meeting with Caceres was 
friendly, with the new minister stating that he would 
maintain an "open door" and expressing his desire for a 
regular dialogue with the Ambassador. The Ambassador 
introduced the minister to a wide range of USG assistance 
programs, focusing on education, but also explained U.S. 
aid in the areas of social inclusion, economic development, 
and access to justice.  Caceres expressed his appreciation 
with regard to U.S. efforts to help Bolivia's 
disadvantaged. The Ambassador raised the GOB's education 
reform bill, and expressed concern about the impact the 
proposed law could have on American schools in Bolivia. 
Caceres explained that the GOB's legislation will take 
into account the needs of Bolivia's private schools, and 
that the Ambassador needn't worry. While the details on 
changes to the GOB's education reform bill are still 
undefined, we are heartened by the new minister's 
apparent sincerity and sensitivity to our concerns. 
End Summary. 
 
------------ 
Atmospherics 
------------ 
 
¶2. (C)  On February 8, the Ambassador (accompanied by 
the Embassy's management counselor) made his first call 
on new Education Minister Victor Caceres.  Unlike previous 
meetings with former Education Minister Patzi, Caceres was 
friendly, stating the ministry would maintain an "open 
door," and expressing his desire for a regular dialog with 
the Ambassador. 
 
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USG Assistance 
-------------- 
 
¶3. (C)  The Ambassador introduced the minister to a wide 
range of USG assistance programs, focusing on education, 
but also explained our aid in the areas of social 
inclusion, economic development, and access to justice. 
The Ambassador described the USG's support for education 
projects, emphasizing the Fulbright and other exchange 
programs.  He then explained our efforts to expand 
outreach to Bolivia's indigenous peoples, noted our 
indigenous scholarships for studying English in Bolivia, 
and highlighted Embassy book donations to rural 
communities.  The Ambassador informed the minister about 
USAID's programs to promote social inclusion, economic 
development, and access to justice.  Caceres expressed 
his appreciation with regard to U.S. efforts to help 
Bolivia's disadvantaged. 
 
---------------- 
Education Reform 
---------------- 
 
¶4. (C) The Ambassador then referred to prior discussions 
with the ministry and Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera 
on the GOB's education reform bill, and expressed concern 
about the impact the proposed law could have on American 
schools in Bolivia.  The Ambassador explained that 
American schools abroad must meet U.S. accreditation 
standards, and that a lack of accredited schools could 
result in the mission having difficulty attracting new 
officers.  The Ambassador reiterated that American 
schools would try to change to meet the spirit of the law 
(i.e., instruction of indigenous languages) as long as it 
did not impact their accreditation.  He noted that 
foreign schools with significant numbers of local 
students produce graduates who study abroad, but later 
often return to Bolivia to live and work. 
 
¶5. (C)  Minister Caceres responded that he intends to 
consult with urban teachers, the Catholic Church, and 
private schools prior to the bill's passage.  He 
explained that he had already met with the Church and 
private school representatives, including someone from 
the American Cooperative School (ACS).  The minister 
explained that the GOB will respect existing "covenios" 
(agreements) with the private schools.  In the case of 
ACS, which has no formal agreement with the GOB, the 
Minister stated that the GOB would respect its status 
as well.  He continued by stating that he hoped that 
private schools would be receptive to introducing more 
"interculturialidad" (diversity) in their curricula. 
Caceres explained that the GOB's legislation will 
take into account the needs of Bolivia's private 
schools, and that the Ambassador needn't worry. 
 
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Comment 
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¶6. (C)  Minister Caceres appears to be a less 
ideologically rigid interlocutor than his predecessor. 
While the details on changes to the GOB's education 
reform bill are still undefined, we are heartened by the 
new minister's apparent sincerity and sensitivity to our 
concerns.  End Comment. 
GOLDBERG