

Currently released so far... 12689 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
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
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
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 Belmopan
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 Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
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 St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
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
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ASEC
AR
AEMR
AMGT
AE
AU
AID
AORC
APER
AS
AM
AFIN
AMED
AJ
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
ABLD
AL
AA
APECO
AGAO
AY
AGMT
APEC
AINF
AG
ACS
AECL
AFFAIRS
ABUD
ASUP
ADANA
AADP
AMCHAMS
ARF
ASEAN
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
APCS
ADCO
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
ADM
AN
AIT
BU
BR
BL
BO
BA
BB
BG
BM
BBSR
BH
BEXP
BK
BD
BTIO
BT
BE
BY
BF
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BILAT
BIDEN
BC
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CH
CG
CF
CU
CE
CVIS
CASC
CO
CS
CA
CIDA
CBW
CW
CMGT
CI
CODEL
CY
CPAS
CJAN
CD
CWC
CDG
CIA
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CT
CR
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CFED
CV
CACS
CARSON
CLINTON
CN
CONS
CM
CAC
CIC
COPUOS
CDC
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EG
EZ
EUN
ECON
ETRD
ECPS
EFIN
ENRG
ETTC
EPET
EINV
EAID
EAIR
EWWT
EU
EAGR
EC
ELAB
EIND
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
EFIS
ELTN
ET
ECIN
EFTA
ES
EINT
EI
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
ELN
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
EXIM
ETRO
ENIV
ESA
ER
EK
EUR
EFINECONCS
EUMEM
EUREM
EPA
ERNG
ENERG
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
IS
IZ
IR
IC
IO
IN
ID
IGAD
IT
ILC
IAEA
ITU
ICAO
IMO
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
IAHRC
ITF
INRA
INRO
IWC
IQ
IV
ICRC
ICTY
INRB
IEFIN
ILO
ITRA
ITALY
IBET
ISRAELI
IL
INTELSAT
IRC
IDP
ICTR
IRAQI
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
IA
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
INDO
IDA
ISLAMISTS
KSPR
KNNP
KWBG
KAWK
KISL
KPAO
KN
KS
KIPR
KCRM
KDEM
KIRF
KJUS
KHLS
KSCA
KOMC
KAWC
KV
KFRD
KWMN
KTIP
KPWR
KSUM
KGHG
KTIA
KTFN
KIRC
KCOR
KACT
KMDR
KGIC
KOLY
KUNR
KIDE
KMPI
KPKO
KCFE
KVPR
KRAD
KPAL
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KTEX
KTDB
KFSC
KZ
KSEP
KFLU
KE
KU
KPLS
KRVC
KRIM
KSTH
KG
KFLO
KPOA
KICC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KBCT
KSAF
KMOC
KDRG
KBIO
KREC
KSTC
KVRP
KBTR
KMIG
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KWAC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KWMM
KPRP
KNEI
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KX
KMCA
KCRS
KMFO
KID
KCIP
KNAR
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KHDP
KFIN
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KHIV
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KTER
KRCM
KCFC
KSAC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KCOM
KLIG
KDEMAF
KAID
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
KOMS
KHSA
MPOS
MOPS
MARR
MTCR
MNUC
MASS
MX
MCAP
MAR
MTRE
MASC
MK
MG
MTCRE
MI
MD
MA
MO
MY
MU
ML
MRCRE
MAS
MEDIA
MC
MR
MIL
MW
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MT
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MEPP
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
NATO
NG
NL
NZ
NT
NW
NO
NU
NS
NPT
NASA
NI
NK
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NP
NATIONAL
NSSP
NSF
NA
NGO
NV
NR
NDP
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NEW
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NPG
NSC
NPA
NSFO
OPDC
OPRC
OEXC
OTRA
ODIP
OIIP
OVIP
OPIC
OPCW
OAS
OREP
OSCE
OSCI
OES
OFDP
OECD
OCS
OIC
OPAD
OVP
OHUM
OFFICIALS
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OBSP
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PGOV
PARM
PINR
PTER
PHUM
PK
PREF
PM
PHSA
PA
PINS
PE
PBTS
PCI
PO
PL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PGIV
PROP
PP
PBIO
POL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PBT
PMIL
POV
PTBS
PG
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PROV
PNAT
PINF
PRL
PAS
PDOV
PRAM
PREO
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PAO
PREFA
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PGOC
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RW
REACTION
RCMP
RSO
RO
RP
ROOD
RM
ROBERT
RICE
REGION
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
RFE
REPORT
SY
SP
SOCI
SMIG
SNAR
SCUL
SC
SU
SO
SI
SENV
SZ
SW
SA
SR
SF
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SEN
SG
SYR
SWE
SK
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SCRS
SYRIA
SL
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SANC
SHI
SHUM
SIPRS
TSPA
TSPL
TU
TBIO
TRGY
TPHY
TS
TP
TW
TBID
TI
TF
TZ
TD
TT
TN
TNGD
TC
TX
TH
TL
TIP
THPY
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TINT
TFIN
TAGS
TR
US
UNSC
UNGA
UK
UP
UNCHC
UN
UNMIK
UNCSD
UY
USTR
USOAS
UNHRC
UNFCYP
UG
UNAUS
UNESCO
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
USUN
UZ
USNC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNEP
USEU
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNDP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
UNDC
UNICEF
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06LIMA658, HUMALA DOWN BUT STILL AHEAD IN PUNO
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.
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. #06LIMA658.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
06LIMA658 | 2006-02-16 21:49 | 2011-05-18 12:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Lima |
Appears in these articles: elcomercio.pe |
VZCZCXYZ0006
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHPE #0658/01 0472149
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 162149Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8767
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 2992
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6516
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 9089
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB QUITO 0032
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0198
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
UNCLAS LIMA 000658
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINS PTER PHUM PE
SUBJECT: HUMALA DOWN BUT STILL AHEAD IN PUNO
REF: A. LIMA 307
¶B. DRAFT 2005 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT
¶C. 05 LIMA 3267
--------
Summary:
----...
id: 53363
date: 2/16/2006 21:49
refid: 06LIMA658
origin: Embassy Lima
classification: UNCLASSIFIED
destination: 06LIMA307
header:
VZCZCXYZ0006
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHPE #0658/01 0472149
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 162149Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8767
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 2992
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6516
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 9089
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB QUITO 0032
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0198
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
----------------- header ends ----------------
UNCLAS LIMA 000658
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINS PTER PHUM PE
SUBJECT: HUMALA DOWN BUT STILL AHEAD IN PUNO
REF: A. LIMA 307
¶B. DRAFT 2005 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT
¶C. 05 LIMA 3267
--------
Summary:
--------
¶1. A recent trip to Puno provided insights into
ultra-nationalist, radical, anti-system candidate Ollanta
Humala's support in this rural and traditionally more radical
region of Peru (Ref C). Humala's popularity in Puno has been
dented but not fatally damaged by political problems within
his party and recent revelations that he may be guilty of
human rights violations. Despite these, in areas outside the
city of Puno, Humala remains the candidate of choice for
impoverished small agriculturalists who long for an
authoritarian "tough guy" leader in the mold of former
President Fujimori, someone who can get things done and
produce favors for farmers. End Summary.
¶2. Poloff interviewed a variety of local contacts during a
2/10-2/12 trip to Puno with visiting Washington analysts.
The trip focused on Ollanta Humala's level of support in this
rural, historically radical region. Those interviewed
included: representatives of the regional government (Hugo
Munoz Guerra and Victor Ciro Quispe Nina); the Dean of the
local Journalists Association (Leoncio Aleman); the Rector of
the National University of the Highlands (Martha Tapia); two
representatives of the local NGO "Network Peru" (Jorge Romero
and Javier Molina); a representative of the Catholic Church
affiliated, pro-farmer NGO the Center for Peasant Training
(CCCP) (Ricardo Vega); and the director of a USDOL financed
program to promote early childhood education and fight child
labor (Ernesto Garcia). All know the Puno region well and
offered insights into the politics of this rural region
likely to be a bastion of support for Humala.
------------------------------------
Ollanta Down But Not Necessarily Out
------------------------------------
¶3. Recent problems within the Union for Peru (UPP) and
Peruvian Nationalist Party (PNP) alliance as well as
revelations about possible human rights violations have hurt
Humala's support. Most observers interviewed thought that
Humala had peaked too early and would not win the presidency.
Chaos in Humala's party structure has undercut his
credibility as both a figure who could bring order and as a
non-traditional "Mr. Clean" outsider. Leoncio Aleman pointed
out that in Puno both the UPP and the PNP were submitting
separate congressional lists. More than one observer cited
the presence of a well-known local political opportunist,
Juan Jose Vega, on Humala's initial congressional ticket
(Vega has since been pulled from the list) as the kind of
association that had compromised Humala's image with local
voters. For Puno voters, the image of chaos in Humala's
political party has done him far more damage than accusations
of human rights violations. All contacts agreed that Puno
voters are not interested in democracy, but instead long for
a Fujimori-like strong man who can bring order and get things
done.
-------------------------------------
Durable Elements in Humala's Support
-------------------------------------
¶4. While Humala has problems within his organization, has
made some bad associations, and his campaign presents a
picture of chaos, most of those interviewed emphasized that
his support has durable elements, particularly with rural
small farmers. Jorge Romero, stressed the long-term
groundwork laid by Ollanta Humala's brother, Antauro, over
the last five years. Romero described how many male children
from rural families go into the army for at least one tour,
pass through the military and then return to their home
villages and cannot find a job. The Ethnocaceristas, he
said, wisely targeted this demographic in forming the ranks
of their uniformed "reservists," who have spent the last five
years selling the newspaper "Ollanta" throughout the
countryside. (Note: After the alleged break between Ollanta
and his brothers Antauro and Ulises Humala, the newspaper was
renamed "Antauro." End Note.) The "reservist" label
provided a job of sorts (selling the newspaper on commission)
and, above all, a self-esteem boosting identity as a foot
soldier in a pro-coca, pro-cobrizo (person of indigenous
background), ultra-nationalist movement for young campesino
men who had recently finished military service. Local
contacts said that two or three reservists from Puno
participated in Antauro Humala's 2005 New Year's Eve Revolt
in Andahuaylas and several others in the Humala Brothers'
earlier rebellion in 2000.
¶5. Humala has inherited a strong legacy of local support for
former President Alberto Fujimori. In the countryside, "El
Chino" (Peruvians ethnic-nickname for Fujimori) remains very
popular, remembered for regular visits that left gifts of
tractors to local communities and for having overseen the
construction of paved roads between both Puno and Cusco and
Puno and Arequipa, according to Hugo Munoz and Ciro Quispe.
While questions about Hulala's character have surfaced in
news reports on television and in radio, the anti-system
voters have no place else to go and tend to reflexively
distrust the judgments of the Lima media. Martha Chavez has
only captured a part of the local anti-system vote so far,
because Fujimori is the person Puno farmers most closely
associate with tough-guy leadership as well as government
benevolence.
¶6. Questioned about the possibility that the candidacy of
Ulises Humala (Ollanta's older brother) for President might
cut into Ollanta's vote, local contacts said that anti-system
voters do not care about the split between the Humala
Brothers. They are convinced that this is a tactical
maneuver for the election and see a vote for Ollanta as a
vote for change. Journalist Leoncio Aleman noted a possible
weakness in Ollanta Humala's local advertising, which does
not stress his party's symbol. He said some rural voters
might become confused between the two and split their votes
by accident.
--------------
The Evo Effect
--------------
¶7. Puno is tied closely to Bolivia. Smuggling from Bolivia
is one of the main economic activities and many local Aymara
speakers consider themselves to be part of a common
Bolivian-Peruvian ethnic "nation." As such, our local
contacts emphasized that Evo Morales' win in Bolivia created
a wave of pro-indigenous feeling that benefits Humala. Rural
Puno voters, University of the Highlands Dean Martha Tapia
stressed, are quite racist in their thinking. (Tapia is a
trained veterinarian who works in rural areas.) They resent
anyone who is a "misti" (i.e. a white person from the
cities). They see Ollanta Humala as a "misti" as well, but
as one who understands their problems.
--------------------------
Some Radical Recrudescence
--------------------------
¶8. Sendero Luminoso is making a comeback in some rural
areas, according to Tapia. She spoke with frustration about
how a small number of radical students (maximum 500 of a
total student population of 15,000) can cripple her
university at will with the aid of politically extremist
sympathizers on the faculty. Tapia related how during
travels into the countryside she has heard that Sendero
Luminoso is regrouping in rural areas. When asked to provide
details, she conceded that she could not, stating that "there
are certain things one doesn't ask about" while working in
remote regions. Tapia maintained that Sendero's new strategy
is non-violent, and involves penetrating organizations to
ensure that nothing works, so that people are driven to
search for radical alternatives.
---------------------------------------------
Humala Predominates, But Puno Not Locked Down
---------------------------------------------
¶9. Humala remains the candidate of choice for many rural
voters in this historically radical region. Nonetheless,
cracks in his support could open some inroads for other
candidates. A visit by Humala to Puno two weeks ago did not
produce an overwhelming turnout. About two hundred of his
followers crowded the local plaza, the rest of the crowd made
up of the curious. Alan Garcia attracted a similar sized
crowd during an earlier visit, and many local women in the
city of Puno are attracted to Lourdes Flores' candidacy.
¶10. Leoncio Aleman thought that Garcia could recover support
in Puno. Ricardo Vega agreed, stating that Garcia is
remembered for having distributed land to campesinos in the
1980s. (Though this policy ultimately proved economically
disastrous, creating many nonviable, tiny land holdings, in
popular memory Garcia still gets points for handing out land
titles.) All interviewed emphasized that rural voters are
looking for the candidate who will do something for them, who
will provide credits, build roads, or promote programs that
favor the region's small farmers, many of whom live off
intermittent comercial activity (like smuggling) and work
tiny inherited plots of land to provide sustenance for their
families.
------------------------
Congressional Candidates
------------------------
¶11. Leoncio Aleman and others pedicted politically
fragmented results in congressional elections for Puno. A
likely winner is incumbent Congress member Jhonny Lezcano,
who is seen by locals as having done a good job. (Note: the
Puno Congressional Delegation was not noted for its
statesmanship. One member, Congress Representative Torres
Ccalla, was recently sentenced to eight years in prison for
moving an underage staffer to Lima so that he could exploit
her sexually -- Refs A, B. End Note.) Lezcano represented
the Popular Accion Party (AP) and is now running in the
number one spot on presidential candidate Valentin Paniagua's
list. Aleman was convinced that the other parties would
split up the rest of the seats, with Lourdes Flores, Alan
Garcia, Valentin Paniagua, and Humala's candidates dividing
the remainder of the seats.
---------------------------------
Comment: Humala's Hidden Support?
---------------------------------
¶12. Puno's poverty and tradition of anti-system radicalism
make the area a key potential base for Ollanta Humala.
Stories about chaos in Humala's campaign and, to a far lesser
degree, revelations about human rights violations have dented
but certainly not fatally damaged his local support. It
remains to be seen if Humala's recent actions to purge his
congressional list (he recently replaced 13 candidates of
questionable character) will enable him to regain lost ground
by proving his credentials as the kind of saloon-clearing,
authoritarian "tough guy" that rural protest voters in Puno
and other areas are seeking. Since many Humala voters live
in remote areas, opinion polls could underestimate possible
additional support for Peru's ultra-nationalist, anti-system
candidate. End Comment.
POWERS
=======================CABLE ENDS============================