Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 4910 / 251,287

### Articles

Brazil Sri Lanka United Kingdom Sweden Editorial United States Latin America Egypt Yemen Jordan

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 86 88 89 90 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1986/05
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08
2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/07 2001/10
2002/02 2002/03 2002/11
2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Amsterdam American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai
Embassy Freetown
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamburg
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Maputo Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey
Embassy New Delhi Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Naples
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Consulate Vladivostok
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AE AORC AF ASEC AR AG AJ AU AFIN AM APER ABUD ATRN AL AEMR AMGT ACOA AO AX AMED ADCO AODE AFFAIRS AC AS ASIG ABLD AA AFU ASUP AROC ATFN AVERY APCS AER ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AEC AGMT
BR BX BU BL BO BM BA BE BH BTIO BEXP BIDEN BK BY BG BF BB BC BBSR BMGT BRUSSELS BTIU BILAT
CJAN CH CU CASC CVIS CMGT CO CI CLINTON CIA CG CF CN CS CAN COUNTER CDG CIS CA CBW CM CE CONDOLEEZZA COE CR CY CD CTM COUNTRY CLEARANCE CPAS CWC CT CKGR CB CACS COM CJUS CARSON COUNTERTERRORISM CACM CDB CV
DR DA DHS DOE DEA DK DJ DISENGAGEMENT DS DTRA DOD DEAX
EAID ENRG ETRD ECON EINV EFIN ELAB EU EG ETTC EI ECPS EINT EIND EPET EUN EZ EMIN EAGR ET EC EAIR ECONEFIN ENVR ES ER ECA ELN EN EWWT ECIN ELTN EFIS EXTERNAL EINVETC ENIV EINN ENGR EUR ESA ENERG EK ENGY ELECTIONS ECUN EINVEFIN ECIP EINDETRD EUC EREL
FR FINR FAO FTAA FREEDOM FI FARC FBI FJ FMLN
GM GG GH GE GV GT GR GTIP GOI GCC GAZA GZ GA GTMO
HA HILLARY HR HUMAN HO HYMPSK HU HURI HK HSTC
IR IAEA IZ IS IT INRB IRAJ IN INRA INRO IO IC ID IIP ITPHUM IV IPR IWC IQ ICTY ISRAELI IRAQI ICRC ICAO IMO IF ILC IEFIN INTELSAT IL IA IBRD IMF INR IRC ITALY ITALIAN INTERPOL
JO JA JOSEPH JP JOHNNIE JUS JAMES
KGHG KIPR KCOR KE KNNP KTFN KDEM KJUS KZ KWBG KIRF KPAO KDRG KHLS KCRM KSCA KPAL KISL KG KACT KN KS KGIC KRAD KU KCOM KBIO KMCA KV KHDP KTIP KVPR KDEV KMDR KWMN KMPI KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KCFC KSPR KTIA KHIV KPRP KAWC KOLY KCIP KCFE KOCI KPKO KTDB KMRS KFRD KLIG KBCT KICC KGIT KSTC KUNR KPAK KNEI KSEP KPOA KFLU KNUP KNNPMNUC KOMC KAWK KO KTER KSUM KHUM KRFD KBTR KDDG KWWMN KFLO KSAF KBTS KPRV KNPP KNAR KWMM KERG KFIN KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KTBT KCRS KRVC KSTH KREL KIRC KNSD KPAI KHSA KR KPWR KWAC KMIG KSEC KIFR KDEMAF KGCC KPIN KNUC KPLS
LE LY LU LG LH LI LO LOG LT
MOPS MNUC MARR MU MY MASS MCAP MA MO MTCRE MG MASC MX MCC MZ ML MEPP MK MTRE MP MIL MDC MTCR MAR MEPI MRCRE MI MT MR MQADHAFI MD MAPS MUCN MASSMNUC MPOS MOPPS MAPP
NATO NIPP NL NO NG NI NPT NE NS NAR NZ NU NPG NK NSG NA NT NASA NGO NP NSF NATIONAL
OFDP OVIP OPRC OREP OEXC OIIP ODIP OTRA OSCE OAS OPIC OPDC OECD OPCW OSCI OIE OIC OTR OVP OFFICIALS OSAC
PGOV PTER PREL PARM PINR PO PINS PK PHUM PL PE PREF PHSA PBTS PGOF PROP PA PARMS PORG PM PMIL PTERE POL PF PALESTINIAN PY PGGV PNR POV PAK PAO PFOR PHALANAGE PARTY PRGOV PNAT PROV PEL PINF PGOVE POLINT PRL PRAM PMAR PGOVLO PHUMBA POLITICS PEPR PSI PINT PSOE PU POLITICAL PARTIES PBIO PECON POGOV PINL PKFK
QA
RS RU RW RP RO RIGHTS RICE ROBERT RF RFE REGION
SO SENV SOCI SF SU SA SY SP SNAR SCUL SW SR SG SMIG SL SN SHUM SZ SYR ST SANC SC SAN SIPRS SK SH SI STEINBERG
TRGY TI TIP TBIO TR TX TU TC TSPA TS TH TT TW TERRORISM TO TFIN TD TSPL TZ TPHY TK TNGD
UNSC UK UG US UZ UP UNO UNMIK UY UN UNGA UNESCO UE UAE UNEP USTR UNHCR UNDP UNHRC USAID UNCHS UNAUS USUN USEU UV
VZ VE VT VM VTPREL VN
WA WI WMO WTRO WTRQ WHO WWARD WB WBG WEU WTO
XA XT XM XY XG XF XC XH XL XZ XW XR XD XE XS XK
YM YI YE
ZI ZP ZK ZF ZB ZANU ZOELLICK ZR ZU ZA ZO ZJ

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 06LAPAZ2910, VP, AMBASSADOR DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE BILATERAL

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06LAPAZ2910.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06LAPAZ2910 | 2006-10-27 13:01 | 2010-12-03 21:09 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy La Paz

`

    VZCZCXRO2364
    PP RUEHLMC
    DE RUEHLP #2910/01 3001308
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    P 271308Z OCT 06
    FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1098
    INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6220
    RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3540
    RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7402
    RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4662
    RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1913
    RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 0577
    RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 1964
    RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3157
    RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 1841
    RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4113
    RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4551
    RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9125
    RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
    RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
    RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
    RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
    RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
    RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC

` `

    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

`