C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 000093
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/AND, INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2019
TAGS: PREL PINR BO BR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL'S LULA OFFERS BOLIVIA'S MORALES TREATMENT
FOR TUMOR
Classified By: Ambassador Clifford M. Sobel, Reason 1.4
(b) and (d)
¶1. (C) In a conversation with Ambassador Sobel following the
January 15, 2009 La Paz meeting between Brazilian President Lula and
Bolivian President Morales, Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson
Jobim (protect) confirmed an earlier rumor that Morales is
suffering from a serious sinus tumor. Jobim told the Ambassador
that Lula had offered Morales an examination and treatment at a
Sao Paulo hospital. Although there have been been public reports
that Morales needs surgery for "acute sinusitis," and related
otitis and headaches, according to Jobim his problems in fact
are caused by a serious tumor and the surgery will be an effort
to remove it. Treatment has been put off, however, until after
the constitutional referendum scheduled for January 25. Jobim,
who attended the meeting between Lula and Morales, commented
that the tumor might explain why Morales has seemed unfocussed
and not his usual self at this and other recent meetings. SOBEL
UPDATE: Bolivia is denying that Evo ever had a tumour. From this WaPo story:
"Morales' spokesman Ivan Canelas denied there had ever been any tumor, saying Morales had surgery last year for a problem with his nasal septum that was causing him constant colds. In a radio interview, he said the leaked cable "had a big dose of speculation.""
WhaaAAAAAaaaaAAAAt? Y-y-y-y-y-y-you mean it's remotely possible that the US Diplo corps in South America has been making shit up about Evo Morales? WHAT A SHOCKAH!