Cablegate: Gob On Goals for Nam and Unga

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UNCLAS LA PAZ 002492

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA UNSC PREL BL CU
SUBJECT: GOB ON GOALS FOR NAM AND UNGA

1. (SBU) Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauricio Dorfler
convoked select members of the diplomatic community September
12 to review GOB goals for the NAM and the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA). Dorfler noted that Foreign Minister
David Choquehuanca would serve as the NAM's vice president.
He said the GOB's priorities include building consensus for
the indigenous declaration at UNGA, supporting water rights
and conservation in the interest of social peace, and
promoting Bolivia's access to the sea. Dorfler said the GOB
has a unique opportunity to negotiate a corridor to the
Pacific with Chile, and that the primary negotiations will be
bilateral. Given Peru's involvement, however, Dorfler said
the GOB will also raise the long-standing dispute at the NAM
and the OAS. He noted that Choquehuanca would discuss access
to the sea with Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley at
UNGA.

2. (SBU) Regarding UNGA, Dorfler said Morales would speak to
the General Assembly September 19. He said the GOB sees
Morales' speech as a chance to share Bolivia's political
history and dynamic changes with the world. According to
Dorfler, Morales will defend nationalization of hydrocarbons
(and assure investors of juridical security) and explain the
Constituent Assembly's task of creating a new social pact,
while noting the GOB's "absolute respect for democracy, rule
of law and dialogue." Dorfler acknowledged that the
political opposition does not agree with the GOB on its
reforms, but said "that's democracy." He said Morales will
cite examples of Bolivian consensus and dialogue, including
his September 11 decree to support private business with USD
12 million in credits to compensate for the likely expiration
of ATPDEA benefits in December.

3. (SBU) Dorfler said the GOB supports Security Council
reform as well as more widespread reforms for the UN system,
but provided few other details. He suggested that the UN
should be better able to respond to crises, implied the
number of members on the Security Council should be changed,
and hinted at representation on a regional basis. Dorfler
said the GOB would seek consensus within GRULAC on the
Security Council veto, as well as on the candidacy of
Guatemala/ Venezuela (Comment: There is little doubt that
Bolivia will support Venezuela. End comment). In addition
to the indigenous declaration, Dorfler mentioned migration,
child labor, and gender issues as GOB goals for UNGA.
GREENLEE

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