VZCZCXYZ0005 
OO RUEHWEB 

DE RUEHC #3685 0712019 
ZNR UUUUU ZZH 
O P 122002Z MAR 09 
FM SECSTATE WASHDC 
TO RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAR 2208 
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION PRIORITY 0472 
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 1249 
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1956 
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 6204 
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0200 
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 4258 
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 2379 
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 3940 
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 0405 
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 4368 
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 2790 
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS STATE 023685 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: PNG OF EMBASSY OFFICER FRANCISCO 
MARTINEZ 
 
¶1. (SBU) This is an action request. See paragraph 3. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The Department is concerned about the Bolivian 
government's unjustified declaration of Embassy officer 
Francisco Martinez persona non grata and its implications for 
bilateral and regional relations. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Department directs the Charge to immediately 
seek a meeting with Foreign Minister Choquehuanca to protest 
this unwarranted action and deliver the message in paragraph 
4 via diplomatic note. 
 
¶4. Begin text: 
 
The Department of State refers to diplomatic note No. 
043/2009 from the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to 
U.S. Embassy La Paz, dated March 9, 2009, in which the 
Bolivian government declared U.S. Embassy officer Francisco 
Martinez persona non grata, citing "numerous actions of 
interference by this U.S. employee in matters of internal 
Bolivian politics, evidenced by his participation in meetings 
and activities, articulation and coordination of 
inappropriate actions intended to alter the legally 
constituted order of the country, a situation that was fully 
corroborated by reports of relevant Bolivian entities." 
 
The Department of State categorically rejects these false 
accusations. Mr. Martinez has never met with any Bolivian 
prefect nor with Rodrigo Carrasco as alleged by the Bolivian 
government. The Department reaffirms that the United States 
is not involved in any conspiracy in Bolivia and has not 
engaged in any inappropriate actions. Even as the Department 
rejects as unjustified this expulsion, it underlines its 
disappointment that the Bolivian government did not avail 
itself of appropriate and existing diplomatic channels to 
express any concerns it might have. 
 
The Department recalls the Bolivian government's 
often-expressed desire to improve bilateral relations, and 
reaffirms its commitment to engage in a meaningful dialogue 
to establish a productive relationship based on mutual 
interests. For such a dialogue to take place, it is 
essential to maintain a fundamental level of respect and 
communication. 
 
Department of State 
 
End text. 
 
 
CLINTON