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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 LA PAZ 002910 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2016 TAGS: PARM ECON SNAR PREL PGOV BL SUBJECT: VP, AMBASSADOR DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE BILATERAL TIES Classified By: Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ). ¶1. (C) Summary: In their first meeting since the Ambassador presented his credentials October 13, the Ambassador and Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera engaged in a cordial exchange October 26 on U.S. assistance, extension of ATPDEA benefits, Morales' anti-American discourse, military relations and counternarcotics. The vice president opened the meeting warmly, saying that his recent visit to a USAID fair had provided him with a valuable education about U.S. assistance in Bolivia. With respect to President Bush's announcement in support of an ATPDEA extension for the region, the vice president said the GOB is "very happy and grateful" for this "friendly sign" from the United States. The Ambassador told Garcia Linera that the best way forward for the GOB would be to not only lower, but to improve, its public discourse toward the United States. The Ambassador also cautioned Garcia Linera that Bolivia's relationships with other countries have consequences. The vice president said he hoped the Ambassador would rely on him as an "instant messenger" for any communications with the GOB in order to avoid missteps in the relationship. On mil-mil relations, Garcia Linera said he hoped to remove the F-10 counterterrorism matter and the MANPADS issue from the bilateral agenda, although he said the missiles transfer would continue to be an internal issue. On counternarcotics, the Ambassador said that voluntary eradication is ideal, but said that the GOB would have to show quick results. Following the meeting, the Ambassador and the vice president held a joint press conference, the first of its kind since Morales took office in January. Despite the recent ups and downs in the bilateral relationship, Garcia Linera appeared to be putting on his best face for the Ambassador. End summary. ------------------------------------- U.S. ASSISTANCE: A PLEASANT SURPRISE ------------------------------------- ¶2. (C) The vice president opened the meeting warmly, saying that while he had been familiar with the amount of U.S. assistance, his visit to a recent USAID fair had provided him with a valuable education about its "characteristics." Garcia Linera was particularly impressed with USAID's microenterprise and agricultural assistance, which he said directly help many poor Bolivians. Garcia Linera also noted the Ambassador's October 25 book and equipment donations in the Altiplano. The Ambassador said he hopes to continue traveling in order to demonstrate our desire to assist Bolivians with their development efforts, as well as to improve Bolivians' understanding of the United States. He expressed concern that many Bolivians' image of the United States is outdated, and that we are in fact a very dynamic country that understands well the struggle to overcome social, political and economic exclusion. --------------------------------------------- ------ U.S. EXECUTIVE BRANCH SUPPORT FOR ATPDEA EXTENSION --------------------------------------------- ------ ¶3. (C) With respect to President Bush's announcement in support of an ATPDEA extension for the region, the vice president said the GOB is "very happy and grateful" for this "friendly sign" from the United States. The Ambassador complimented the vice president's October 25 comments on ATPDEA, saying that he was prudent to caution the Bolivian people that the matter will be decided by the U.S. Congress. The Ambassador told the vice president that President Bush's support is an example of our desire to improve relations with Bolivia. Garcia Linera stressed that in the absence of free trade negotiations, ATPDEA is of critical importance to Bolivia. The vice president acknowledged former Ambassador LA PAZ 00002910 002 OF 005 Greenlee's advice to the GOB on ATPDEA, saying that he hoped that the Ambassador would continue in the same vein. --------------------------------------------- REINFORCING THE MESSAGE: PLEASE LOWER THE TONE --------------------------------------------- ¶4. (C) The Ambassador told Garcia Linera that the best way forward for the GOB would be to not only lower, but to improve, its public discourse toward the United States. He cautioned that President Morales' anti-American remarks may damage Bolivia's chances for an ATPDEA extension. The Ambassador explained that before his arrival at post, he participated in counternarcotics certification conversations, in which he said there were serious questions about recertifying Bolivia. If we hadn't certified, the Ambassador said, we wouldn't be talking about an ATPDEA extension now. The Ambassador told the vice president that he offered the president, the minister of the presidency and the foreign minister the same counsel-- that the GOB needs to lower its tone. He said the USG cannot compartmentalize its foreign policy, but looks at the overall relationship. The Ambassador said that by accusing the USG and the Embassy of conspiracy and assassination attempts, the GOB had fallen well below the accepted norms of diplomatic and political discourse. ¶5. (C) Garcia Linera attempted to defend Morales' anti-American rhetoric, saying that the president's history with the United States was one of "distance and conflict." He said the GOB wants to turn the page but that "the history is still there," although "each time less." The vice president said the GOB wants to close the era of mistrust definitively, saying that Morales' trip to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly was a big step forward in this regard. He said the trip enabled Morales to see the "human" side of our country, and that it was important for Morales to see the United States as an open, pluralistic society. He said the president was "excited" when he returned, energized by the personal contact with Americans he had had in the United States. The vice president said he "celebrated" Morales' trip and described the bilateral relationship following it as "closer, friendlier." Garcia Linera said he hopes that Morales will visit the United States again soon. The visit aside, Garcia Linera said he could not "guarantee" that Morales would not suffer a rhetorical relapse, but promised to try. He said that he had asked Ambassador Greenlee for a "good dose of patience" and asked Ambassador Goldberg for the same as a "very personal request." Garcia Linera said the GOB is "not looking for confrontation or tension." He said that once in a while, "fissures will open, things surface, but we want to expand and improve relations." ------------------------------ CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS CAREFULLY ------------------------------ ¶6. (C) Along the same lines, the Ambassador cautioned Garcia Linera that Bolivia's relationship with other countries may have consequences. He said Bolivia's relations are Bolivia's business, but that the GOB should be aware that they can impact its relations with other countries, including the United States. The Ambassador offered the example of a recent anti-American speech by the Venezuelan ambassador, with Morales at his side. The Ambassador added that no one in the diplomatic corps seems to have met the Venezuelan ambassador, a signal that raises questions about the Venezuelan's activities here. Garcia Linera said he understood and said "we don't need" those consequences. Likewise, the Ambassador suggested that the GOB be careful not to interfere in the democratic processes of neighboring countries, citing a press report that Morales and Ecuador's LA PAZ 00002910 003 OF 005 "legitimate president" Rafael Correa would speak at an October 26 event supporting Bolivia's "revolution" (septel). The Ambassador said respect for Ecuador's democratic process could only help Bolivia's international image. Garcia Linera appeared to take the Ambassador's comment on board, responding that the GOB was not funding the conference. ------------------- YOU CAN TALK TO ME ------------------- ¶7. (C) The vice president said he hoped the Ambassador would rely on him as an "instant messenger" for any communications with the GOB in order to avoid missteps in the relationship. Garcia Linera said, "Don't doubt me as a channel for anything." He encouraged the Ambassador to pass him criticisms and observations, and to call him at any hour or to ask for a meeting with him or the president on short notice. Garcia Linera referred to a recent GOB experience with bad intelligence (presumably on the subject of U.S. students in Bolivia whom the GOB alleged were undercover U.S. military operatives), saying that if a similar situation presents itself, the president would like to call the Ambassador to confirm the information. Garcia Linera lamented that at the time of that incident, the GOB "didn't have a bridge" to the Embassy, leading the president to keep the information to himself and then to speak about it publicly. Garcia Linera admitted that was "their mistake" and that they have to work against susceptibility to certain types of information. ¶8. (C) The Ambassador thanked the vice president for his offer and agreed to contact him with any questions or concerns. He also encouraged Garcia Linera to call him, particularly before publicly accusing the USG of any wrongdoing. The Ambassador stressed that the USG has not reacted publicly to Morales' accusations because of our desire to improve relations. In turn, Garcia Linera said he would welcome the Ambassador's counsel on how the GOB could improve the bilateral relationship. The vice president admitted the GOB had been skeptical about former Ambassador Greenlee's advice in this regard--and had even debated about whether Greenlee's advice was good. Garcia Linera said in the end, they had accepted the Embassy's advice in good faith and had been pleasantly surprised. ------------------------------------------- MILITARY RELATIONS: VP WANTS TO STRENGTHEN ------------------------------------------- ¶9. (C) In response to the Ambassador's stated desire to improve mil-mil relations (despite Article 98 restrictions), Garcia Linera said he hoped to remove the F-10 counterterrorism matter and the MANPADS issue from the bilateral agenda, although he said the missiles transfer would continue to be an internal issue. Garcia Linera said Bolivian forces are no longer using the F-10 arms and that plans are underway to transfer them to permit U.S access. The Ambassador said he was optimistic about resolving that issue and hoped that we could do the same with the missiles transfer, despite the political complexities of that issue. Garcia Linera said that while he understands the U.S. position, the pending "internal investigation" of President Rodriguez and other GOB officials would not be resolved quickly. ¶10. (C) The Ambassador also said that we would like to do more in the area of military education and exchanges. Garcia Linera welcomed the overture, adding that he would like to take up the full range of military cooperation prohibited by Article 98 later. The Ambassador gently reminded Garcia Linera that the GOB should ratify the agreement so they could give him access. Finally, Garcia Linera expressed great LA PAZ 00002910 004 OF 005 interest in the milgroup's New Horizons exercise planned for 2007, as well as other civil works. The Ambassador explained that we are asking the GOB to sign a new Status of Forces Agreement to make such projects possible, and that we have already raised the subject with the ministries of defense, presidency and foreign relations. ------------------------------------------- COUNTERNARCOTICS: AN INITIAL CONVERSATION ------------------------------------------- ¶11. (C) On counternarcotics, the Ambassador said of course the USG would like to see the GOB's voluntary eradication program work, but said the GOB would have to show quick results. The Ambassador said that while he realized coca is a sensitive topic domestically, it is in both countries' interest to work together to fight drug trafficking. He told Garcia Linera that it would be impossible for the USG to support the GOB's coca ideology (e.g. industrialization and legalization), suggesting instead that the two governments focus on their common interest in stopping the flow of drugs. He also told the vice president that President Morales' ill-informed statements on U.S. drug use were not helpful. The Ambassador told Garcia Linera that the United States has worked hard to lower drug consumption, but that consumption is up in Europe and is a growing problem in Brazil and Bolivia. Garcia Linera described eradication as "complicated," but noted that the Morales government is eradicating in many new areas. Garcia Linera made a subtle pitch for increased U.S. counternarcotics assistance, saying the GOB needs additional eradicators. If not, he said, we will see an increase in narcotrafficking. The Ambassador suggested they discuss counternarcotics strategies in depth soon, and noted that the October 28 arrival of INL Deputy Assistant Secretary Christy McCampbell would present an immediate opportunity for further dialogue. ----------------------- A UNITED PUBLIC FRONT ----------------------- ¶12. (C) Following the meeting, the Ambassador and the vice president held a joint press conference at the Ambassador's urging, the first of its kind since Morales took office in January. Like the meeting, the tone of the press conference was warm. The vice president publicly thanked the Ambassador for his visit, describing it as "cordial." Garcia Linera said he and the Ambassador had discussed "steps forward" on many issues of mutual interest, and cited the GOB's will and his own personal commitment to "expand and improve" relations with the United States, particularly in order to promote democracy and fight poverty and drug trafficking. -------------------------------- COMMENT: STARTING A NEW CHAPTER -------------------------------- ¶13. (C) Despite the recent ups and downs in the bilateral relationship, Garcia Linera appeared to be putting on his best face for the Ambassador. During the hour-long meeting, the two talked about the president's birthday (October 26), which a crowd of supporters commemorated with fireworks (causing an occasional noisy interruption to the otherwise smooth conversation) and a toy donation ceremony for Bolivian children. (Note: Garcia Linera said the president was delighted to give the children toys because he had played with sheep bones as a child in eocnomically-depressed Oruro. End note). Garcia Linera seemed relaxed and pleased to start anew with the USG, even responding to the Ambassador's invitation to use first names by telling the Ambassador to "call me Alvaro." Garcia Linera said he had been very attentive to Ambassador Goldberg's words and gestures since he arrived, implying his approval of his new interlocutor. LA PAZ 00002910 005 OF 005 End comment. GOLDBERG
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