| ID: | 222876 |
| Date: | 2009-08-28 22:35:00 |
| Origin: | 09SANSALVADOR817 |
| Source: | Embassy San Salvador |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Dunno: | |
| Destination: | VZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSN #0817 2402235 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 282235Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1561 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 000817 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2019 TAGS: PGOV, ENRG, EAGR, SENV, SOCI, ES SUBJECT: WAVE OF PROTESTS MAY SIGNAL FMLN EFFORT TO UNDERMINE FUNES Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES ROBERT BLAU FOR REASONS 1.5 (B and D). 1. (C) SUMMARY. A recent wave of protests organized by a so-called environmental group, "La Coordinadora Nacional de Medio Ambiente (CNMA)", are likely part of a movement by hard-line elements of the FMLN to undermine President Funes. Over the past several weeks, the CNMA has carried out large-scale, coordinated protests throughout the country ostensibly protesting GOES plans to continue with the construction of the hydroelectric dam "Chaparral" and perceived inequities in the seed disbursement program to farmers. It seems that hard-line members of the FMLN party are using this relatively unknown organization to vent their frustration about the direction of economic policy and directly challenge the President. END SUMMARY. 2. (SBU) On August 26, the CNMA coordinated a sophisticated series of road blocks at nine key points in the highway system across the country in the morning hours, effectively bringing traffic to a halt. Many key transportation arteries were blocked off, including the Pan-American Highway. This protest included wide-spread participation and there were reports of vandalism and destruction of property. Police were unable to restore order until the afternoon. Past CNMA protests consisted of no more than small-scale demonstrations outside of the Presidential Palace. 3. (SBU) According to press reports, CNMA is protesting President Funes' decisions to proceed with the construction of the state-owned hydroelectric dam "Chaparral" and the planned cutbacks in the government-managed seed distribution program. In each case, only a small portion of the population is adversely affected by the policy decisions. 4. (C) COMMENT: Mass street protests are part of the traditional FMLN play book and are one battlefront in an ongoing struggle for power between the orthodox FMLN and President Funes. Funes said at a meeting Thursday August 27 that his administration will not yield to blackmail. There is broad public support for the need for Funes to prevail. END COMMENT. BLAU | |
