You are absolutely right; the fact that this initiative was launched (specific to an "intent-to-procure" a contract to deliver the trucks, that is) the week after Morales' inauguration does not imply a change-of-heart by him or his cabinet. As you said, bureaucracies are notoriously slow, and it's a safe bet that this has been in the planning stages perhaps before Morales was even elected.

However, since I obtained the "pre-solicitation notice," as it is known, the very week Morales assumed office, I found it necessary to connect the two events insofar as timing is concerned. Even though I may have unintentionally hyped this timing, upon writing this piece I found it compelling enough to tie the procurement and the inauguration together.

I view it as a consciousness-raising endeavor, both for the State Dept. as well as the Government of Bolivia -- either it will go forward as planned, or someone in power will say, "This cannot take place." Either way, the public needed to know that -- at some level and at some time in the recent past -- the State Dept. was keeping a relatively low profile in planning to step up operations in Bolivia.

Your input, as always, is greatly appreciated. Regarding a call to the appropriate government-contracting contacts, I have to admit that I couldn't get those folks ever to call me back even when I was down the street from Pennsylvania Avenue, never mind while sitting on a hill in the middle of nowhere in rural Pennsylvania, as I'm doing now! I'll save myself the toll call.