Cablegate: Bolivia Sitrep #1 1130: March On Embassy And

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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #1970 2591540
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 151540Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8500
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 8333
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 5688
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 9641
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 6858
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3941
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 0833
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 4241
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 4234
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 5765
RUEHPO/AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO 0493
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 6558
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 1304
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 1420
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS LA PAZ 001970

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC AEMR PTER BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA SITREP #1 1130: MARCH ON EMBASSY AND
RESIDENTIAL AREAS

SITUATION REPORT. This is the first of several situation
reports planned for today.

-EMBASSY COMPOUND. Compound is currently secure with no
protesters.

Sources say that 4000 campesinos will soon arrive at the
chancery, although some sources suggest a larger number. The
alternate command center in the USAID/NAS building has been
evacuated due to reports that the protesters intend to attack
USAID.

Reportedly the march has split into as many as four groups,
one headed for the chancery, one for USAID, one to remain in
the El Centro business district (near the chancery) and one
headed to the Unitel television station. The group headed
toward USAID is reportedly led by Edgar Patana, chief of the
Regional Workers' Union-El Alto, and may be comprised of the
more radical and violent element. Personnel from the
alternate command center at USAID have been evacuated to the
Ambassador's Residence, where other mission personnel and
family were already gathering to be processed for authorized
departure. The Ambassador's Residence is now the alternate
command center.

RSO has requested additional protection from the Bolivian
National Police (BNP); RSO notes, however, that due to
current crises around the country, the BNP is spread thin and
RSO qquestions their ability to provide sufficient personnel.

BNP La Paz commander has mobilized police cadets to the
southern residential (Zona Sur) area for security.
URS

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