VZCZCXYZ0031
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGT #0961 3081829
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADD251BD TOQ1034 641)
R 041829Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0348
INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000961 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PINR GT
SUBJECT: Leftists Moderate Tone and Strategy, but Maintain Radical 
Links 
¶1.  (U) Summary:  President Colom linked Guatemala's violence to 
extreme social and economic inequality during a two day conference 
entitled, "Political Change in Latin America: the State, Democracy 
 
and Social Policy."  Public officials, including President Colom, 
academics, journalists and foreign dignitaries discussed the role 
of the left in shaping and implementing social and economic policy 
in Latin America.  In doing so, Colom, alongside other speakers, 
acknowledged democracy, transparency and accountability as keys to 
success.  However, while the event featured many moderates, space 
was made for far left rhetoric - some of it anti-U.S. - and Cuban 
embassy officials attended.  End Summary. 
 
 
 
¶2.  (U) The Secretary of Peace (SEPAZ), Orlando Blanco, NGOs and 
academic institutions hosted a conference in Guatemala City from 
October 21-23 titled "Political Change in Latin America: the State, 
Democracy and Social Policy."  The event focused on the role of the 
left in Latin America and the implementation of public policy to 
spur equality and social justice.  The program featured mostly 
leftist academics, politicians, technocrats and different NGO 
representatives.  The conference was well attended (around 200 
people on the day Poloff attended), with the bulk of the crowd 
comprised of students from the public University of San Carlos and 
government employees from SEPAZ and the Ministry of Education. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (U) President Colom opened the conference and described an 
intrinsic link between violence and social inequality, two issues 
that plague Guatemala.  Colom noted that Guatemala's extreme 
inequality demanded political and economic change.  He said that a 
conference participant had told him "not to worry about the rates 
of homicide or assault, (but rather) to worry about inequality." 
Colom proclaimed that he would pursue such change peacefully and 
address policy opportunities as they presented themselves.  He also 
touted the role of the Administration's social programs such as My 
Family Progresses and Open Schools in alleviating poverty. 
 
 
 
¶4.  (U) Although many prominent members of Guatemala's left were 
guerrilla supporters or members during the 1960-1996 civil 
conflict, the modern Guatemalan leftist movement has embraced 
democratic principles and conference attendees nodded in agreement 
with speakers that advocated for social and economic change through 
democracy.  Further, the crowd offered a warm reception to comments 
asserting that such change begins with transparency, accountability 
and respect for human rights by the government. 
 
 
 
¶5.  (U) Despite the overall moderate tone of the conference, it was 
evident that radical elements continue to wield some influence. 
Cuban Embassy officials were lauded at the event and Cuban 
academics participated.  Further, some on the left still view the 
United States as a threat.  One academic chided the United States 
for inciting the Global Financial Crisis and claimed that the 
crisis has vindicated those that opposed neo-liberal economic 
policies.  In other speakers' remarks regarding the United States, 
there was little acknowledgment of the change in the U.S. 
administration and what that might mean for the inter-American 
relations.  Instead, the speaker described the United States as a 
regional aggressor and opposed "U.S. military bases" in Colombia. 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU)  Comment: The remarks by President Colom and others 
indicate that some in the Guatemalan left are committed to change 
through democracy and the rule of law.  Indeed, Colom has staked 
the success of his government on its ability to deliver economic 
progress and improved social welfare for the rural poor.  Until now 
he has had limited success.  Nevertheless, there are still links to 
radical leftists, and to Latin American authoritarian governments. 
However, we do not see significant grassroots support for 
Chavez-style socialist populism.  End comment. 
Robinson