Bolivia Charges U.S. Official With Espionage
By Bill W. Thursday Feb 14, 2008 11:45am
Bolivia has now filed espionage charges against Vincent Cooper, a U.S. Embassy official who instructed Peace Corps volunteers and Fulbright scholar John Alexander van Schaick at mandatory orientation and security briefings "to provide the names, addresses and activities of any Venezuelan or Cuban doctors or field workers" they encountered.
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Van Schaick's account matches that of Peace Corps members and staff who claim that last July their entire group of new volunteers was instructed by the same U.S. Embassy official in Bolivia to report on Cuban and Venezuelan nationals. [...]
"I am supposed to be a cultural ambassador increasing mutual understanding between us and the Bolivian people," van Schaick explains. "This flies in face of everything Fulbright stands for."
<!-- page -->The Fulbright program receives its funding from the U.S. State Department and the Peace Corps is a federal agency, but the State Department insists that neither group has the obligation to act in an intelligence capacity. In fact, both have strict regulations against members getting involved in politics in their host country.
Robert Naiman points out that Cooper tried recruiting the Peace Corps class back in July and the incident with van Schaick occurred in November.
Back in Dec Morales lashed out at the United States Embassy, questioning whether some of its development aid was being channeled to the political opposition. That was just months after Bolivia rejected a U.S.-backed free trade agreement and instead signed a pact with Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua (soon to be joined by Ecuador, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, and St. Kitts) that has markedly heightened tensions between its members and the US and in recent weeks.
Democracy Now has more on this here and more on recent U.S. meddling in Bolivia here.
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This was potentially putting these people at risk. Are we really that hard up for information?
My gut reaction before I turn to read the article?
OMG those b*sturds in D.C. have sunk so low that they would use the PEACE CORPS for espionage?
What does that do to the future of the PEACE CORPS?
I would think it would be made very unwelcome in the future in foreign lands and it would endanger those in the field trying to do good work.
Another nice move from this criminal administration.
When your asking peace activist type for intelligence of the enemy, then yes, you have to be very desperate.
Imagine the espionage Bush Co off pulls off with warrant less eavesdropping on their business competitors in this country.
I suppose it would be a bad idea to just say "Nuh uh" when "ordered" to do something like that, but I think it would be my gut reaction. How much do you get with a Fulbright, anyway?
Our government's paranoia is reaching new levels of absurdity.
I just remember the movie "Spies like Us" and they were spies playing the part of the peace corp, when they launch into introducing themselves, "greetings! doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor,and doctor"
Is Cooper a Bush Co spook disguised as a Peace Worker?
Check this scumbag's phone records and you'll find Elliot Abrams cell number.
Bush & co. fucking up more goodwill opportunities for attempted political gain? Quelle surprise!! I'm sure Bush, Sr., a former ambassador, is rolling over in his grave.... oh, wait....
anyone familiar with the dastardly actions of the IMF/World bank, america, multinational corporations with in bolivia will quickly understand how despicable this bullshit is.
bolivia has been pissed on for centuries, and for the first time since pre-incan domination one of the indigenous bolivians, evo morales, runs the country. for decades the corporatocracy was able to rape bolivia, and now that they can't they are trying to bring down the country.
the motto for the neoliberals (of which clinton is one) is that if corporations can't control bolivia (or enter other "developing" nations here) no one will.
i wholeheartedly support bolivian actions in this matter.
I wonder how Jenna Bush's peace mission to Paraguay went over.
"Hi, we're going to be your new neighbors. We bring to you offering's of peace. TV, cheap and abundant food, candy, deodorant, plumbing!"
Samson- @ 11:
Maybe Bolivia isn't interested in a TV in every hut and a U.S. Oil Well in every rain forest.
Think they'll televise his trial in Bolivia? Think the American media will broadcast it?
Open Veins of Lation America
read this, and more fully understand how white men have been bleeding latin america for CENTURIES
L.A. Confidential @ 13:
nor 30% of monthly income on privatized water...
Those miserable fucks. The one outreach of the United States that no administration ever despoiled and these shits just couldn't leave it alone. A very dear friend of my daughter just started his training and is heading for Africa, now he's at risk all because of these clueless pukes. I'm betting you can tell I'm pretty upset about this. We can not get rid of these guys quickly enough. Tell me again, why is impeachment off the table Reid and Pelosi?
This is why they hate us.
Chicken Little - NOT!! @ 17:
Because no doubt the Cons probably told them you mess with us and you'll lose everything.
Why not destroy the Peace Corps? George W. Bush has been allowed to destroy every other government funded organization (i.e. FEMA, FDA, CIA, Bank Regulation Dept, FCC, Home Loan Regulation Dept., etc, etc, etc,) under the "watchful" eye of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.
kerplunk @ 20:
The Beast will devour everything you can count on that.
L.A. Confidential @ 19:
Considering what these traitors have done to the Constitution and the rule of law already, what else do they have to threaten us with?
Bush and The Beastie Boyz in action.
I for one am surprised. NOT. Watch the film "The War On Democracy" and you will see all kinds of wonderful US gov't facts.
biff diggerence @ 9:
True that.
kerplunk @ 20:
this IS how they are destroying the peace corps....
Chicken Little - NOT!! @ 22:
These guys are big on the idea of population control.
I shudder to think about it.
L.A. Confidential @ 19:
And apparently Reid and Pelosi don't have the guts necessary to say "Bring it, biatch"
Unfortunately, what happened to Peace Corps is nothing new. Every intelligence agency from every nation uses every means possible to gather intelligence. If that means, using or planting a phony priest, college student, missionaries, teacher or what have you inside a group like Peace Corps then so be it. I do not think Morales is a stupid man. He knows full well that the CIA is capable of carrying out covert missions like this and so he took action. In fact, it is not out of the question that Morales' intelligence agencies are and have been monitoring other foreign aid groups for some time now. They would be stupid not to.
America can't wait for the Presidential Election and "hope" a Democrat will be elected.
Even if a Democrat is elected, chances are very high that the Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid type of leadership will continue.
In the meantime America will be totally destroyed. Nancy "Off The Table" Pelosi should go down in history as the Benedict Arnold of her time.
Albatross @ 28:
Wasn't JFK a Dem? What did he do to Cuba? What did Cuba ever do to the US?
Albatross @ 28:
Nope they aren't going to risk the comforts and perks they have become accustomed to.
Reid and Peolsi are not Ghandi and Siddhartha.
Thank God for Amy Goodman and the sites like this. This kind of crap has been going on for years and the MSM is too lazy and beholden to corporate interests to bring it to light.
Could the internet be democracy's salvation?
As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I can attest to the great extent that Peace Corps goes to distance itself from the intelligence community, at least on the surface. There were always rumors of who in our group might be a spook, but that was all in good fun. Still, I had to work for months convincing my local community that I was there to help them rather then spy on them (mainly because on my first day in site I walk in wearing dark green army-looking carpenter pants...desmiado similar a la militar! Who knew?!).
I'm sure most of those new Volunteers laughed at Cooper and were no less pissed off at him. Nonetheless, the damage to PC Bolivia is done ,and Bolivian communities will now be very hesistant to allow new Volunteers into their villages. I don't believe current Bolivia volunteers are in any imminent danger because most people around the world are just like us...they can spot bullshit when they see it. If they've got their community's trust then they still have it. Still, bullshit coming from the U.S. scares people, makes them not want to be involved, for their own safety. Those people, the ones that need help the most, will therefore be the losers in this.
This isn't the first time govt. officials have tried to use PC for intelligence (Bush's cronies tried it before in 2002). But this is probably the most shamefully flagrant violation of American Goodwill.
It's pretty damn noxious (not to mention pathetic if our real intelligence agencies are so bad that we need to have Peace Corps volunteers reporting on Venezuelan doctors), and I wouldn't mind seeing this guy spend some time in a Bolivian jail for it, but it hardly measures up to espionage.
ConcernedCanuck @ 31:
They took back their casinos and resorts from the American mafia. The US government didn't like that one bit.
goatsage @ 36:
LOL! Wasn't there a US intelligence spy kicked out of Iraq pretending to be with the UN's nuclear watchdog?
goatsage @ 33:
Only if the MFers can't figure out a way to stifle it, and you know there's a lot of evil brainpower being dedicated to figuring out how to do just that. Damn, I didn't think I could get much more angry. Guess I was wrong.
ConcernedCanuck @ 31:
He told Russia and Cuba no nukes and won that one without loss of life but JFK's real problems began when he started becoming a champion of Civil Rights and enemy of Corruption right here at home.
ConcernedCanuck @ 24:
adding to that, watch "Our Brand is Crisis" to get a better handle on just how american interests (in the guise of tad devine, james carville, bob shrum, etc. playing for the corporatocracy, the IMF and the world bank) attempted to, and succeeded for awhile, to undermine democracy in favor of corporate interests.
really, if anyone wants to understand the dangers of neoliberalism, the IMF, multinational corporations, monied interests, and the such read up on bolivia.
check out things like:
the tax war
the gas war
the water war in cochabamba
president sanchez de lozada (goni)
the bolivian miracle/mirage
the law of capitalization
war on drugs
goatsage @ 33:
This crap has been going on for century's. As far as the internet it could be either a blessing or a curse.
We'll find out soon enough.
Samson- @ 40:
I'll check that one out. Succeeded for awhile? Um..they are winning...name one thing in the US that is not corporate controlled now? I would be hard pressed to name anything in my country either.
The good news is that many south and central american countries are empowering themselves against this type of imperialism.
It's blowback on a continental scale.
Bush needs the peace corp because he has committed the bulk of our "diplomatic resources" to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Gitmo, and black site rendition. The world is waking up. Neocolonial capitalism is on it's way out. Good riddance. Spread the wealth. Don't worry murkins. We'll still have 30 brands of toilet paper to choose from. Only the top 0.5% of our population would have to make any significant adjustment (ie two homes instead of five). Small price to pay to raise the standard of living for the other 5.9999 billion people on the planet.
Capitalist credo: "I've got mine, so fuck you."
L.A. Confidential @ 39:
I seem to recall the nukes in Cuba were in retaliation for US nukes in Europe, so again, I don't see what Cuba ever did to have the US goliath try to squash it for how many years now?
Samson- @ 40:
Breaking ....
Nancy Pelosi expresses shock that Fulbright scholar John Alexander van Schaick would "snitch" on her beloved friend and President, George W. Bush and demands that van Schaick be sent to Guantanimo.
Midnight Rambler @ 35:
Agreed. It is noxious but it is done none the less. Our intelligence agencies may indeed be using to some degree actual Peace Corps volunteers as proxies but then again, Vincent Cooper may in fact be an undercover CIA agent posing as a Peace Corps volunteer. The charges stated against him obviously raised that suspicion in Bolivia's counter intelligence agencies.
There's nothing new about van Schaick's complaint. In 1976 when I was on a post-doctoral fellowship in Latin America (in Brazil), and traveled to La Paz for a period of time in about September, U.S. Embassy officials routinely gathered Americans on fellowships together for meetings at the Embassy to "discuss" what the fellowship holders knew about the "student unrest" going on at the time. Embassy officials asked the fellowship holders to identify themselves, talk about their experiences and so forth, all "to help the officials understand better what was going on." Embassy officials at the meetings did not identify themselves or their titles or their assignments at the Embassy. I did not go to these meetings, and am only reporting what I was told at the time by several such fellowship holders. I specifically asked them if they ever turned the tables on their questioners -- who are you, what can you tell us about the Embassy's interest in these student protests, why do you want to know, etc. -- and they told me that none of them ever did.
ConcernedCanuck @ 44:
True. Bush Co though is determined to deliver to the Miami base. Even having a Cuban cigar in your possession is now illegal.
Sen. Nancy Pelosi says there is nothing wrong with militarizing the Peace Corps. After all she says, "My friend George Bush has used the US National Guard as his army and there is nothing wrong with using the Peace Corps as part of his Army".
For a great reference, see if you can get your hands on a copy of "Inside the Company: A CIA diary", by Phillip Agee. He was a CIA field agent/ Station Chief in S. America in the 60's. The book details the methods and activities used by the CIA to affect the political and economic structures in S. America.
Agee is of course considered a traitor by the conservatives and he lives in exile in Cuba. Runs a travel agency, I believe.
L.A. Confidential @ 39:
Well, JFK almost brought an end to humanity with his game of chicken with Khrushchev. So it is not an achievement in my own opinion.
Plus it was the most extreme manifestation of the Manifest Destiny bullshit, which would not mind killing everyone in the world if the US of A did not get their way.
teedawg @ 48:
Probably because Americans have been conditioned for so long into believing government officials were looking out for them and always had their best interests at heart.
We've come a long way baby and the truth isn't pleasant.
ConcernedCanuck @ 42:
"succeeded for awhile" was in reference to bolivia... in that the neoliberals succeeded for awhile in undermining bolivian democracy, but the people finally got away from the raping-hands of neoliberalism, and voted the person the people overwhelmingly supported--evo.
as far as naming something in the good ole US of A that is NOT corporate controlled i would need a way-back machine for that... 'cause i don't think there is anything anymore. well, other than groups like pacifica radio, and other progressive organizations...
L.A. Confidential @ 53:
Plus if a volunteer gets into some trouble, they rely on the State Dept. to help. Think they will assist you if you refused to "cooperate"?
Tyler Durden @ 52:
Good point. It's a mad mad mad mad world. And those of us who see it have to endure the most pain.
Yellowbird @ 2:
Hate to break it to you like this, but the Peace Corps has always been a hotbed for CIA informants and recruits.
Tyler Durden @ 52:
If the chimp had been POTUS in Oct. of 1962 we would never have lived to see Nov. of 1962.
Che's Lounge @ 55:
Thats why NGO's can ultimately do more good without interference from Government special interests but in third world countries your on your own in some pretty dangerous environments.
Dang this sucks. I really respected Evo Morales ever since he got elected and plredged a large part of his salary to go back to his country. He seems to be looking for the best of his population, rather than the top 1%. Must be nice.
Jeff @ 57:
No surprise there. The CIA openly recruits on college campuses anyway these days. Especially Chinese Majors.
By the way, the right wingers will never state this, but I bet this is exactly what happened to those operatives working for Brewster Jennings when Plame was outed by the Bush Administration. The difference here though is that the Bolivian Government simply leveled espionage charges against that U.S. Official. Those working for or on behalf of Brewster Jennings at the time of Plame's outing were more than likely rounded up and excuted by the Iranian intelligence agencies.
This won't fly. The Peace Corps is one of the last things this government has that keeps them looking like complete asses in the world. I'm sure we don't have many volunteers in the middle east right now since that's way too dangerous.
I'm glad they spoke out. There is a long and tedious process to get into the corps and they know what they're getting into before they leave. No one would join the corps if they thought for a moment they would be used this way and no one would stand for it. Well maybe Chris Matthews but I still don't know how he ties his shoes without putting his eye out much less survive 27 months in that kind of work.
Don't forget the Fullbright scholars as well. That's a highly regarded and important institution as well.
Don't think that just because a program is government funded that they have control over it or that it's corrupt. I spend 2 years in 2 different AmeriCorps programs and I saw first hand what people can do with money from the government (our money) and at the same time to tell the jerks where to stuff it. We were recognized nationally many time for our service to the country with 50%+ federal funding.
I'm still in the process of applying to the Peace Corps as well and I can assure you that no returned or current volunteer would put up with anything outside of being a cultural ambassador to their host country and report any suspicious activity as well as advertise it on their many blogs. So if there's any doubt what's going on in the PC just look up one of the many journals all over the internets from past, present and future cultural ambassadors.
L.A. Confidential @ 59:
Yes this type of practice definitely puts the PC workers in more danger.
L.A. Confidential @ 49:
All the more reason for me to take my spring vacation in CUBA
"VIVA CUBA LIBRE".........with a twist of lime
Che's Lounge @ 58:
Probably, but maybe Khrushchev would have made the current mental midget in the white house his bitch.
The problem is that right now there is no counter balance in the world military power, so the chimp can sling his shit at will.
L.A. Confidential @ 41:
One things for certain it's getting harder and harder to keep secrets with the internet. Just this week Kissinger said he doesn't even know what a Blog is. He uses his computer to read the Newspapers.
LOL
Now that South America is truly working its way toward democracy the banana Republicans are trying to turn back the clock. Again (Contras, Samoza, Allende, et al.)
Che's Lounge @ 64:
Yes this type of practice definitely puts the PC workers in more danger.
No doubt there. Any American these days who goes abroad these days even just as a tourist is viewed with mistrust and suspicion.
Powkat @ 68:
Whats even more strange and bizarre is the Banana Rethug's appear to be bound and determined to turn the USA into a third world country. Thats their idea of us being competitive. Lower our standards to that of our competitors. Not demand they raise their standards to our level. Or the level we used to be anyway.
IS THERE ANYTHING THIS ADMINSTRATION WON'T POLITICIZE, USE, MISUSE AND SPOIL?
The answer seems to be "No"
Why should countries trust the Peace Corps any more. Bushco has made them into spies. Why would they be welcome.
You know I'm having a hard time deciding whether we should go to Comcast's digital voice because they must come in my house and rewire. . . knowing how this administration has conscripted Fire Departments, Paramedics, phone companies to report anything they find "unusal" and I have tons of political books, papers, in my house . . . I'm not sure I want them in here. No telling what they may report about me.
Can this really be the "United States of the Soviet Union?"
Tyler Durden @ 66:
Maybe not in the nookuler arsenals. But Russia and China are rapidly becoming economic powerhouses with limited nuclear and extensive conventional aresenals. Our capiatlistic ways are leading to a rejuvenation of the cold war.
The Chimp has shot his wad in the ME. IMO we cannot stop the swing of the pendulum in S. America, or Africa for that matter. This is all part of the fallacy of the validity of capitalism. Sooner or later there is either an uprising/backlash, or there is simply no more pie to cut up.
L.A. Confidential @ 49:
Really? A cigar? That's sad. But then again, if you are Cuban, smoking can kill ya. Well if those sanctions don't. I just love how some people point out how dictator Castro has done such evil things to his nation, but in reality if people actually looked at it in broad daylight, they'd see most if not all of the things he supposedly has done, were done because of sanctions and no other reason. Too bad Cuba doesn't have oil. LOL!
Che's Lounge @ 72:
Russia still has around 3000 or so Nukes aimed at us. And their conventional arsenals are deadly effective.
At an Air Show a Russian SU-27 pilot was joking about how when he was taken for a ride in an F-16 it took 30 minutes just to strap us in. We just get in, spool up and were off the ground in less then a minute while you guys are fumbling around with your crotch straps.
Bastards make it worse for those of us who do work internationally.
ConcernedCanuck @ 73:
If they had Oil Cuba would be a Star on our Flag by now. Anyway most Cubans have grown used to Castro. They don't have to worry about their basic needs and comforts and are content with that. Of course those of us in the civilized world think, "What? they are content with there basic needs and comforts being guaranteed? What about the big plasma screen! The large car! The gambling! Partying! The Credit!"
YBNurmal @ 75:
No kidding man. A real mess.
The sheer inappropriateness of this aside, I am struck by how stupid it is for an embassy official to try to get Peace Corps volunteers to do espionage work for them. How can so many of our government officials be so outright stupid?!
L.A. Confidential @ 49:
I used to enjoy a Cohiba at seaside resturaunts in Baja. But nowadays, thanks to our glorious war on drugs, Baja has also become much less hospitable.
Can't even bring over a bottle of Havana Club rum. Tell me again which is the free country?
First, the Administration tries to destabilize Chavez, and his own people free him and stop the 'revolucion'. Chavez has since kicked out the DEA, claiming that they were actually CIA gathering intel against him and running drugs. Now this. Not so paranoid, after all, hmmmm?
Che's Lounge @ 79:
Yes no doubt. And now there are kidnappings targeting Americans, muggings, drug territory wars. Baja is becoming an unsafe place to hang out.
Used to go down all the time when I lived in Southern Cal. Never a problem.
I mean how can this be a "vacation"
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_brea...
When my cousin was in the Peace Corp in the 60's, they were told to avoid the 3 C's -Cuties, Cooties and the CIA
This is no surprise to anyone following the situation in the region. Google Group of 184 in Haiti, look up the funds that the Venezuelan opposition (many of whom are the media that Chavez is supposed to be suppressing), the same group that dissolved all branches of government and the constitution (voted on in a national referendum) and set up a military dictatorship. After the coup they thanked the elite media in Venezuela, on national TV! The same groups the NED is funding with US tax payer money. The succession moves Or the US funding the moves by the rich, white groups to break away in Bolivia and form a new country. By chance, these groups are sitting on the Bolivian oil. If another country did it to us the people and government here would flip out, rightfully so. If we do it to others it’s as normal as gravity. We’re the US, objectivity has no place here. Again, not surprising and not anything new.
Che's Lounge @ 72:
I would not call Russia's nuclear arsenal "limited" they have a shitload of nukes, and China has the largest standing army in the world.
Limited vs unlimited, which is what we have.
Che's Lounge @ 80:
I'll get you 1 CHE. I'm goin to Varadero in April.......I'll ship it in a plain brown wrapper....LOL
Oh yah I guess It's Canada
clytemnestra @ 71:
I'd advise against Comcast, for that and other reasons.
Che's Lounge @ 51:
He died recently.
bush/cheney = FASCISTS
gop = FASCISTS
religiousreichwingnuts = FASCISTS
For those interested in learning more about Evo and Bolivia, check out the recent documentary Cocalero.
viva la indigina.
Medical Diagnosis by Video @ 90:
Sorry to hear that. One man's traitor is another man's patriot. Tom Paine was put on trial (as was his publisher) for sedition.
You're all spelling it wrong. It's "Peace CORPSE"
Reading this I couldn't help but think of the song "Call It Democracy" by the great Bruce Cockburn
Call it Democracy
by Bruce Cockburn, written Nov. 1985
Padded with power here they come
international loan sharks backed by the guns
of market hungry military profiteers
whose word is a swamp and whose brow is smeared
with the blood of the poor
Who rob life of its quality
who render rage a necessity
by turning countries into labour camps
modern slavers in drag as champions of freedom
Sinister cynical instrument
who makes the gun into a sacrament --
the only response to the deification
of tyranny by so-called "developed" nations'
idolatry of ideology
North south east west
kill the best and buy the rest
it's just spend a buck to make a buck
you don't really give a flying fuck
about the people in misery
IMF dirty MF
takes away everything it can get
always making certain that there's one thing left
keep them on the hook with insupportable debt
See the paid-off local bottom feeders
passing themselves off as leaders
kiss the ladies shake hands with the fellows
open for business like a cheap bordello
And they call it democracy
and they call it democracy
and they call it democracy
and they call it democracy
See the loaded eyes of the children too
trying to make the best of it the way kids do
one day you're going to rise from your habitual feast
to find yourself staring down the throat of the beast
they call the revolution
IMF dirty MF
takes away everything it can get
always making certain that there's one thing left
keep them on the hook with insupportable debt
Clearly, any sovereign country that refuses allow US corporations to steal their natural resources, parasitize their wealth, enslave their people and run their country as private feifdoms is a clear and present danger to the Corporate States of America, our Glorious Homeland.
as a good friend of alex, all i can say is he is a very courageous person and someone we as americans should support.
Just another reason why, as my uncle who does business in S. America, Africa and Asia puts it, "They hate us right now". Bush and the neo-cons are absolutely ruining us in the eyes of the rest of the planet.
Che's Lounge @ 93:
I'm making a list of all the American citizens living in the third world country I live in.
At judgement day, they better be back home..
Gosh, The U.S. Government meddling in another country's affairs, and using a venerated organization such as The Peace Corps as a front??? Who'd a thunk it? Yeah that's got Cheney/Bush written all over it. Kinda hard to form the NAU when everyone over Mexico's southern border isn't on board.
If you check the interview with the Bolivian intelligence the Foreign minister he says he met with the Director of Peace Corps in the country to confirm the Fulbright scholars work with Bolivians (intelligence), confirming he was recruited by them. The Director confirmed the intelligence the Fulbright scholar was providing. All the PCVs were under investigation for espionage based on the Fulbright scholar informant and confirmation by the Director of Peace Corps Bolivia. The Bolivians are filing espionage charges against the embassy employee, probably how(threatening espionage charges) they recruited the Fulbright scholar and investigated the others. The Director never called the embassy and explained she was in an intelligence situation, which is all anyone had to do. They all have the Duty Officer's/Marine Guards number. It would have been handled immediately by the embassy.
The employees at Peace Corps could, technically, be charged with espionage for their meetings and information provided to Bolivian (intelligence). Interviews need to be conducted with all the employees. Of course this is the excuse for not providing information to the US government that involves terror and murder. This is probably the Bolivians excuse also, avoiding these charges, but, if you have a choice and all these people did, you go with your country.
One call to the Duty Officer by the federal employees; Directors, staff and PCVs would have solved the intelligence situation they were in while meeting with the Bolivians (intelligence).
Bolivia's issues now are the new World Bank loans - The Departments(States) ceding.
I'm more surprised by the complete lack of tradecraft and ability displayed by the "embassy" official, Cooper. He probably works for another organization rather than the State Department, and apparently he sucks at his job as a collector.
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