VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #1994/01 2602316
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 162316Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8535
INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 9661
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 6878
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 4261
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 1324
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

S E C R E T LA PAZ 001994 
 
NOFORN 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018 
TAGS: AMER ASEC AMGT PTER BL
SUBJECT: EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING-LA PAZ 9/16 1700 
 
REF: LA PAZ 1984 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: RSO Patrick J. Moore, reasons 1.4 c,d 
 
¶1. (U) Summary:  EAC meet on 9/16 at 5 p.m. to review the 
9/16 demonstrations, discuss information on possible 
demonstrations for later in the week, review the Bolivian 
government's reaction to the counter-narcotics certification 
announcement, and discuss progress on authorized departure. 
End summary. 
 
- - - - - - - - - 
Situation Update 
- - - - - - - - - 
 
¶2. (C) At least four social group marched or met on 9/16.  A 
group of 80 campesinos (small farmers) met in a plaza three 
blocks from the Embassy, but made no attempt to come to the 
embassy.  A group of 800 students from the El Alto Public 
University (UPEA) marched downtown to put pressure on the 
congress to have the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) draft 
constitution approved; this group never headed toward the 
Embassy despite earlier threats to do so.  A group of 60 
campesinos gathered south of the Embassy and marched to put 
pressure on congress to approve the MAS constitution; this 
group was diverted from the Embassy by the police.  A group 
of 1000 people supporting the government and protesting 
against the opposition prefects gathered at three television 
stations and threatened to destroy the facilities; this group 
did not attempt to come to the Embassy.  As of 4 p.m. all 
groups had dispersed and none came within fewer than five 
blocks of the Embassy. 
 
¶3. (C) Sources inform us that a group of 500 opposition 
supporters is marching toward Santa Cruz, where clashes are 
expected with MAS aligned groups.  New information indicates 
that the government plans to pressure Santa Cruz by sending 
MAS-aligned groups to confront the opposition.  All USG 
personnel in Santa Cruz have been relocated to La Paz. 
 
¶4. (C) Although President Morales may react negatively to the 
announcement of the counter-narcotics certification decision, 
current events in Bolivia (the arrest of Pando Prefect 
Leopoldo Fernandez and the possible start of dialogue between 
the government and opposition) may keep demonstrators focused 
on domestic issues.  However, sources inform us that the 
chances for dialogue between the opposition and the 
government have decreased following the government's arrest 
of opposition Pando Prefect Leopoldo Fernandez.  Well-placed 
sources suggest that the government is considering extending 
martial law to the opposition departments of Beni and Santa 
Cruz.  The government-aligned siege of congress has so far 
not materialized, but many of the potential participants are 
in La Paz, providing a possible strike force at whatever 
target the government selects. 
 
¶5. (C) Deputy Foreign Minister Hugo Fernandez told Charge 
9/16 that Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca had decided not 
to go to the UNASUR meeting in Santiago, instead staying in 
La Paz to deal with the security issue of the planned 
demonstrations against the Embassy.  Fernandez said that 
Choquehuanca had personally spoken to the government-aligned 
social groups to ask them not to protest at the Embassy and 
that Choquehuanca had also asked Government Minister Alfredo 
Rada to ensure appropriate police protection of USG buildings. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Certification--Government's Initial Reaction 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶6. (S/NF) Charge reported that his call to Fernandez to 
inform him of the upcoming counter-narcotics certification 
decision did not come as a surprise to Fernandez and also did 
not elicit a strong response.  Charge laid out the reasons 
and explained the purpose of the waiver.  NAS spoke with Vice 
Minister Felipe Caceres, who had expected the announcement 
and informed NAS that the government would "nationalize" 
counter-narcotics activities but would still accept USG 
cooperation.  NAS warned that the government reaction may 
become more negative as higher-level officials become 
involved.  DEA spoke with FELCN (counter-narcotics police) 
Director Rene Sanabria, who was surprised by the decision. 
DEA commented that Sanabria has always focused on his 
interdiction statistics (which are good) and is "not 
politically savvy."  DEA emphasized the benefits of DEA 
presence in Bolivia and will work with Sanabria to provide 
him points on this subject to present to Caceres.  DEA 
reports that Sanabria appreciates the DEA presence and wants 
it to continue.  (See septel for full readout.) 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Authorized Departure Update 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶7. (C) Acting on the Department's urging that all personnel 
and EFMs requesting authorized departure depart by close of 
business 9/17, the EAC convened and arranged for one (and if 
needed, two) C130 flights to Lima, departing the morning of 
9/17.  People who had scheduled later departures on 
commercial flights have been moved up to the C130 flights 
when  possible (one family was not able to change plans, for 
example, because of a sick child).  Currently 116 people have 
requested authorized departure and will have departed by 
close of business 9/17; 30 mission personnel and dependents 
are currently on the C130 manifest, plus 7 non-official 
Amcits.  If space allows, 5 Peruvian USG contractors will 
also be on the C130.  10 employees are "caught out", having 
been outside the country at the time of the authorized 
departure decision.  DEA continues to use its King Air planes 
to take staff and family out of Bolivia, with three flights 
scheduled for 9/17. 
 
¶8. (C) Consular and GSO personnel will be present at the 
Ambassador's residence (the starting point for the C130 
flights) the morning of 9/17, and GSO is providing buses to 
the airport.  Charge will accompany the group to the airport. 
 Peruvian visa issues were resolved thanks to Embassy Lima. 
GSO La Paz is coordinating with GSO Lima.  Embassy La Paz has 
coordinated with Embassy Lima throughout this accelerated 
departure process, and Embassy Lima has generously offered to 
receive and help accommodate those on authorized departure. 
Embassy La Paz is extremely grateful for Embassy Lima's 
efforts during this challenging time. 
 
¶9. (C) In light of the lack of demonstration at the Embassy 
on 9/15 and 9/16, the EAC decided that ordered departure is 
not warranted at this time.  EAC decided that staffing would 
return to normal on 9/17 unless the certification 
announcement prompts a significant government reaction or 
threats of violent demonstrations. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - 
Actions Considered 
- - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶10. (U) The EAC reviewed actions to take and notifications 
needed for Mission personnel and U.S. wardens. The following 
is provided: 
 
a. One and, if needed, two C130 flights will depart the 
morning of 9/17 to take mission personnel and families, 
non-official Amcits, and USG contractors (space available) to 
Lima. 
 
b. Embassy will operate at normal staffing 9/17, unless 
information is received to suggest that a violent protest is 
planned.  EAC activated the telephone cascade to inform 
employees of this decision. 
 
c. EAC will hold another meeting 9/17 at 10 a.m. 
 
d. POCs are RSO Patrick Moore (moorepj@state.gov) and DRSO 
Daniel Hernandez (hernandezd@state.gov), IVG 547-8300. 
URS