Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

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

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
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06MEXICO4534, MEXICO'S "OTHER HALF"--THE VIEW FROM OAXACA (PART

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. #06MEXICO4534.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06MEXICO4534 2006-08-14 23:01 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Mexico
VZCZCXRO0158
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #4534/01 2262301
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 142301Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2680
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFIUU/CDR USNORTHCOM
RUEAHLA/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MEXICO 004534 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ELAB PINR PGOV MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO'S "OTHER HALF"--THE VIEW FROM OAXACA (PART 
ONE IN TWO PART SERIES) 
 
REF: MEXICO 3962 
 
1. (SBU) On August 1-4, poloff visited the state of Oaxaca in 
order to learn more about the political and economic dynamics 
of this region, often characterized as part of Mexico's poor 
"other half."  Academics, journalists, protesters, and 
indigenous citizens described a state--until recently a PRI 
stronghold--that is marginalized within Mexico, neglected by 
the federal government, exploited by the wealthy, and 
manipulated by state politicians.  Our contacts concurred 
that the election of a PRD-dominated state congress reflects 
more anger towards the governor and disillusionment with the 
PRI and PAN than deep-felt loyalty to the PRD.  Support for 
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) is driven by this 
disillusionment and by AMLO's identification with indigenous 
groups and promises to help the disadvantaged.  This is the 
first of a two-part series.  End summary. 
 
Political discontent 
-------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) The volatile situation in Oaxaca City, where 
thousands of teachers have linked with civil society 
organizations and radical groups to demand better wages and 
the overthrow of the discredited governor, Ulises Ruiz, 
offers a glimpse of this region's broader political, 
economic, and social challenges (see septel).  Although there 
are significant differences between and within the Oaxacan 
capital and coastal regions, which normally benefit from high 
levels of tourism, and rural indigenous communities, which 
are impoverished and subject to high rates of migration, 
Oaxacans share common experience living in Mexico's second 
poorest state which, until the most recent elections, has 
been dominated by the PRI. 
 
3. (SBU) Poloff's interlocutors explained that Oaxacans 
generally feel resentful toward their state political leaders 
and let down by the federal government.  The PRI years ago 
lost support among the majority of this population, but was 
able to remain in power through its grip on political 
institutions.  Its bruising defeat in the state election 
parallels the PRI's historic losses at the federal level. 
The PAN has never had a strong foothold in Oaxaca and is 
perceived by many here as disinterested in this region.  On 
July 2, many Oaxacans voted for the PRD as part of a 
collective "vote of punishment" against the PRI and PAN. 
 
Anger towards the PRI governor 
------------------------------ 
 
4. (SBU) Oaxaca's PRI governors have left a legacy of 
corruption, repression, and ineffectiveness.  Resentment 
towards the present governor is strongest in Oaxaca City, 
especially following his decision to use force against the 
striking teachers and their sympathizers on June 14 (reftel). 
 The various groups, apparently including radical elements, 
that have since come together to form a statewide protest are 
bound by the common objective of overthrowing Ruiz, and feel 
the only way to get him to step down is through 
non-institutional means.  However, these groups appear to 
represent no broader movement that links their objectives 
with AMLO's national electoral challenge. 
 
5. (SBU) Poloff's discussions with people outside the capital 
revealed greater ambivalence about the governor, since many 
rural Oaxacans have grown accustomed to expecting little from 
their state government.  When indigenous communities engage 
in politics, their focus is usually local and based on custom 
rather than party politics.  State politics are followed to 
the extent that governors have power over funding and 
political influence over the municipalities.  The general 
impression in rural areas is that the governor takes money 
for himself and PRI political campaigns, leaving little to 
develop the economy. 
 
Disappointment with the PAN 
--------------------------- 
 
6. (SBU) At the federal level, many Oaxacans put their hopes 
in the Fox administration for a promise of change they 
believe never materialized.  The president's perceived lack 
of concern for the southern and especially indigenous areas 
of Mexico has led to widespread disillusionment and a sense 
that the PRI and PAN have by design and through incompetence 
 
MEXICO 00004534  002 OF 003 
 
 
neglected Mexico's poorest regions.  Although Fox's 
"oportunidades" poverty-reduction program has helped some 
families in Oaxaca, it has not made a sufficient difference 
in combating poverty to alter the widespread view that the 
PAN doesn't care enough about the poor.  "Calderon promises 
jobs for us, but so did President Fox.  After six years of 
waiting without results, we are ready for a change," a 
Mixteca man told poloff. 
 
7. (SBU) The PAN was also hurt by a notion among many here 
that President Fox should have supported Oaxaca's protesters 
when the governor used force against them, or at least 
ordered an investigation into the state's actions.  That Fox 
responded by saying it was an internal matter in which the 
federal government would not get involved may have cost the 
PAN votes.  Although supporters of the Fox administration say 
the president respected state sovereignty by not intervening, 
numerous protestors felt it was the federal government's 
responsibility to protect them against what they viewed as 
state repression. 
 
8. (SBU) The people with whom poloff spoke believe that 
neither the PRI nor PAN has formulated a convincing economic 
development strategy for the south.  Disadvantaged citizens 
assess that since Fox didn't help them, Calderon would not 
either.  This calculation is buttressed by a perception that 
the PAN takes its cues from Mexico's northern industrialized 
states and privileged classes.  Their explanation for the 
perceived neglect of Mexico's south is an underlying racism 
against indigenous people and their way of life.  "We are a 
menace to the government, which would rather focus on the 
rich half of Mexico and forget we exist," a Zapotec student 
told poloff in a comment emblematic of the discontent. 
 
Support for the PRD and AMLO 
---------------------------- 
 
9. (SBU) Support for the PRD remains shallow in Oaxaca.  The 
academic dean of Oaxaca's Benito Juarez Autonomous University 
told poloff that the PRD has not had time to develop a 
widespread following, has lacked strong leaders, and has 
little track record of effectiveness in Oaxaca.  Furthermore, 
most rural communities are disinterested in party politics. 
The people's attention is directed not at the PRD but at 
Lopez Obrador, whose charisma, promises to attack poverty, 
identification with Mexico's indigenous and disadvantaged 
populations, and social programs from his time as mayor of 
Mexico City, have resonated with much of the state. 
 
10. (SBU) Most Oaxacans believe AMLO would pay more attention 
to them than would the other presidential candidates. 
"During the campaign, AMLO staged impressive visits to the 
south, while Calderon talked to us through the television," a 
teacher in Oaxaca City's central square told poloff.  In the 
same square where the current protest continues, a Mixteca 
woman talked about the significance of AMLO's campaign 
phrase, "the indigenous are Mexico's most intimate truth," 
which she told poloff resonated in the hearts of many 
indigenous people.  She added that she didn't recall any of 
the other candidates mentioning the indigenous during the 
presidential campaign (Note: although other candidates did 
refer to Mexico's indigenous people during the campaign, it 
was less frequent and less recognized than AMLO's references. 
 It should be noted that early in his career, AMLO spent 
several years as the head of the Indigenous Institute of 
Tabasco, during which time he lived in indigenous villages, 
burnishing his credentials as an indigenous rights activist. 
End note). 
 
AMLO will save our identity 
--------------------------- 
 
11. (SBU) Numerous Oaxacans have the impression that among 
the presidential candidates AMLO would be the most likely to 
safeguard Oaxaca's traditional way of life, especially that 
of indigenous communities.  Globalization is a concept that 
remains new, frightening, and confusing in rural areas, and 
AMLO has played on people's fears.  Many of the poor, 
especially farmers, are resentful about the way Mexico has 
been opened to the outside world and believe that 
globalization contributes to their economic underdevelopment 
and isolation.  They are also inclined to believe AMLO's 
accusations of an elections fraud in which the political 
establishment has been rigged against them. 
 
MEXICO 00004534  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
12. (SBU) Within intellectual circles, there's also a 
conviction that Oaxaca's rich indigenous and colonial 
heritage needs to be protected from a threatening 
"Americanization."  Acclaimed Oaxacan artist Francisco 
Toledo, who led a protest against the opening of a McDonald's 
restaurant in the state capital, is an influential voice of 
concern.  The PAN has been stereotyped as not being 
sufficiently interested in culture, while the PRD has tried 
to garner an image as custodian of Mexico's indigenous 
cultural patrimony. 
 
13. (SBU) Responding to a question about whether AMLO's 
proposed development strategies seem economically viable, the 
academic dean of Oaxaca's university quietly said "no."  His 
assessment is an educated view not shared by many in rural 
areas, who have put their faith in AMLO's economic promises. 
At the same time, the dean-himself an AMLO 
supporter-characterized Obrador as the people's best chance 
for a better future, because Mexico's other political leaders 
have "largely forgotten them." 
 
Some disagree with AMLO's approach 
---------------------------------- 
 
14. (SBU) Not all Oaxacans favor the PRD or AMLO, and there 
are important vestiges of support for the PRI and PAN within 
Oaxaca City and some of the state's wealthier communities. 
There are plenty who view the PRD's track record as limited 
and lacking inspiration, sharing the same tendencies toward 
authoritarianism and corruption as the other political 
parties.  Although AMLO asked his followers to stage sit-ins 
in front of Oaxaca's 11 electoral districts, this happened in 
only three.  According to Oaxaca University's academic dean, 
not more than a couple dozen buses went from Oaxaca to Mexico 
City in support of Obrador's recent demonstrations.  "Most 
Oaxacans are sympathetic towards AMLO, but there's no 
connection between the teachers protest and AMLO's electoral 
challenge," he commented.  There's a sense among some 
right-leaning members of the elite that AMLO is playing with 
fire by calling for nationwide protests and that neither he 
nor anyone else may be able to control the forces he is 
trying to unleash.  "If the country becomes ungovernable, as 
Oaxaca is becoming," asked one political observer, "who will 
save Mexico?" 
 
 
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity 
 
BASSETT