VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #0914/01 0951448
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051448Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3053
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6682
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 4005
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7893
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 5146
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2370
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2486
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3407
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4524
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 5015
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9599
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0247
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000914 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/AND LPETRONI 
LIMA FOR USDA/FAS EPHILHOWER 
COMMERCE FOR JANGLIN 
TREASURY FOR SGOOCH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR ECON PREL PGOV BL
SUBJECT: AG MINISTER SEEKS ENHANCED BILATERAL COOPERATION 
 
REF: 06 LA PAZ 3096 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1. (SBU) In an April 4 meeting with the Ambassador, 
Agriculture Minister Susana Rivero sought enhanced bilateral 
cooperation, noting that assistance could help ensure the 
success of a comprehensive agricultural development plan. 
Rivero touched briefly on new GOB efforts to "rationalize" 
coca, noting that this was a move she supported, but deferred 
to Vice Minister of Coca and Alternative Development Felix 
Barra, who also attended the meeting.  The Ambassador assured 
Rivero of USG commitment to bilateral assistance and said the 
GOB needed to demonstrate quickly to a skeptical audience 
that its approach to coca can produce results.  End summary. 
 
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ENHANCED COOPERATION 
-------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) In an April 4 meeting with the Ambassador and 
USAID/Bolivia Director Michael Yates, Agriculture Minister 
Susana Rivero sought enhanced bilateral cooperation, noting 
that assistance could help ensure the success of a 
comprehensive agricultural development plan, due to be 
released in 15 days.  According to Rivero, the GOB will place 
new emphasis on integrated rural development, focusing on 
Bolivia's poorest municipalities and encouraging production 
of high-value products for well-defined domestic and 
international markets.  The plan will also address 
outstanding land redistribution issues (reftel) and encourage 
the sustainable management of forests turned over to local 
communities and indigenous groups. 
 
¶3. (SBU) In response, the Ambassador noted that USAID 
agriculture, forestry, and integrated alternative development 
programs are already closely aligned with GOB objectives. 
The Ambassador told Rivero that USAID works directly with 
small farmers and indigenous communities to encourage the 
production of high-value products and pointed out that USAID 
assistance to the forestry sector has helped Bolivia become 
the world leader in certified natural tropical forests; he 
also noted that USAID integrated alternative development 
programs have generated significant growth in licit crop 
cultivation and exports, providing much-needed jobs in 
economically depressed areas. 
 
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COCA RATIONALIZATION 
-------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Rivero touched briefly on new GOB efforts to 
"rationalize" coca, noting that this was a move she 
supported, but deferred to Vice Minister of Coca and 
Alternative Development Felix Barra, who also attended the 
meeting.  Barra assured the Ambassador that the GOB 
appreciated USG support and said the GOB had begun a "strong 
effort" to reduce illicit coca cultivation.  Barra asserted 
that GOB calls for voluntary reductions in coca production 
had produced "good results" but admitted that growth in 
illicit cultivation in the Yungas remained a key concern. 
The vice minister urged enhanced alternative development 
efforts, particularly in the La Asunta region of the Yungas, 
to strengthen economic opportunities and prevent communities 
from turning to coca as a means of generating income. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador acknowledged Barra's assertions but 
noted that reports suggest a gradual increase in coca 
cultivation, which could have negative implications not only 
for Bolivia and the United States, but also for neighboring 
countries like Brazil.  The Ambassador re-iterated USG 
willingness to work with the GOB to control and reduce 
illicit coca cultivation but pointed out that the USG needs 
to see results in attempts to reduce coca production through 
negotiations with cocaleros. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶6. (SBU) Rivero's strong interest in enhanced bilateral 
cooperation was unexpected, given her emphasis on 
government-led agricultural development and "new policies" 
for land distribution.  The Ambassador responded positively 
to Rivero's request for a detailed USAID briefing and assured 
the minister of USG commitment to bilateral assistance.  He 
also said the GOB needs to demonstrate quickly that its new 
approach to coca can be successful, adding that USAID would 
consider returning to Caranavi -- but only if the GOB 
provides physical and judicial security, returns 20,000 
confiscated electric poles, and provides compensation for 
last year's seizure of equipment at the USAID-supported 
Copacabana coffee plant.  End comment. 
GOLDBERG