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SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: JUNE 9 MARCH ON EMBASSY SITREP #2 1130 EST
June 9 2008
SITUATION REPORT. This is the second of three situation
reports planned for today. Subsequent report will be sent at
1400, EST. Should the situation warrant additional updates,
Post will provide them as needed.
-EMBASSY COMPOUND: Compound is currently secure although
surrounded. Protesters arrived at approximately 1120 EST,
some with fireworks.
-USAID Building: Currently there are no reports of any plans
to march to USAID.
1. (U) The first of the scheduled marchers have arrived at
the Embassy: led by Ponchos Rojos (indigenous militia), the
protesters have encircled the compound, with approximately
3000-5000 protesters at the front entrance. Ponchos Rojos
and youth groups leading the march are shouting anti-autonomy
and anti-US slogans. Protestors are throwing fireworks at
crowd and at building. Currently the Embassy's additional
police protection (with tear-gas and crowd control armor) are
holding protesters away from the compound wall. There are
reports from contacts that some members of the crowd may be
entering nearby buildings to access balconies overlooking the
Embassy compound.
2. (U) Press reports suggest that as many as 15,000
protesters may eventually arrive at the Embassy compound.
The group of approximately 400 Ponchos Rojos are reportedly
aggressive, damaging vehicles and forcing shops to close as
they pass en route to the Embassy.
3. (U) The primary El Alto group, led by city councilman
Roberto de la Cruz and other social group leaders, numbers
approximately 10,000. This group has been joined by 1,500
union members. De la Cruz is reportedly still urging his
followers to burn the Embassy.
GOLDBERG