Bolivia's Armed Forces Issues "Communication" to the Nation

[David Zephyr]

There is no translation yet, but here's the first salvo of what looks like a preparation for rationale for declaration of martial law. (Much thanks to DU's IG for this link)

----------------------------------------

COMUNICADO DE LAS FFAA DE LA NACION
FFAA (09/06/2005 20:12)
COMUNICADO DE LAS FUERZAS ARMADAS DE LA NACION AL PUEBLO DE BOLIVIA

COMUNICADO

Las Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación al pueblo de Bolivia:

Desde la reinstauración de la democracia hace más de 22 años, vanos han sido los intentos de involucrar a las Fuerzas Armadas en asonadas y golpes de Estado. Ella siempre, ha respetado y defendido el proceso democrático.

La crisis de abril del 2002 marcó el inicio de una profunda crisis de la democracia, mostrando la fragilidad del sistema político, provocando caos, anarquía e ingobernabilidad característicos de este periodo, que ha llevado a Bolivia a una situación de impredecibles consecuencias que van desde la tesis de intervención al Estado hasta un proceso de sedición al interior del mismo, y esto no se va aceptar, porque sobre todos los criterios e intereses está el presente y el futuro de la Patria reconociendo sus diferencias.

Hoy solo queda un camino, el diálogo entre bolivianos, un nuevo pacto social entre ciudadanos con los mismos derechos y obligaciones.

Las Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación desde su visión y misión constitucional están en el deber de llamar a la cordura, a la racionalidad y al entendimiento únicos caminos para evitar el suicidio nacional convocando a una tregua político-social que debe ser asumida por todos los actores de la crisis actual.

La sucesión constitucional debe ser efectuada en un marco de serenidad y profunda reflexión, para lo cual exhortamos a los miembros del Honorable Congreso Nacional y a los sectores movilizados escuchar a todos los actores que están haciendo oír su voz para evitar el enfrentamiento entre bolivianos.

La sociedad exige una profunda transformación del sistema político, debido a que el poder político no ha podido ejercer su mandato constitucional para establecer condiciones de orden dentro de un Estado de derecho y respeto.

Propongamos una nueva Bolivia donde empecemos a conocer cuáles son las razones por las cuales uno debe sentir orgullo de ser boliviano y así participar activamente en el proceso de desarrollo con transparencia.

Las Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación siguen con atención el desarrollo de los acontecimientos y en el marco de sus atribuciones, actuarán de ser necesario para preservar la integridad y soberanía nacional, el imperio de la ley y la defensa de la democracia, advirtiendo a los que quieren destruirla que el último bastión de la Patria, que somos nosotros, aún permanece incólume para cumplir su sagrado deber.

http://bolivia.indymedia.org/es/2005/06/19598.shtml

[hadrons]

1. I tried using babelfish

The Armed Forces of the Naci?al town of Bolivia:

From reinstauraci?de the democracy does m?de 22 a, bays have been the attempts to involve to the Armed Forces in riots and coup d'etats. She always, has respected and defended the process democr?co.

The crisis of April of the 2002 marc?l beginning of a deep crisis of the democracy, showing the fragility of the system pol?co, causing caracter?icos chaos, anarqu?e ungovernability of this period, that has taken to Bolivia to one situaci?de unpredictable consequences that go from the intervenci?al thesis Been to a process of inner sedici?al of the same one, and this does not go away to accept, because on all the criteria and I the future interest est?l present and of the Mother country recognizing their differences.

Today single it is left a way, di?go between Bolivians, a new social pact between such right citizens with and obligations.

The Armed Forces of the Naci?desde misi?constitucional his visi?y est?en to have to call to the sanity, the?cos rationality and the understanding ways to avoid the national suicide summoning to a pol?co-social truce that must be assumed by all the actors of the present crisis.

.....

[Teaser]

2. sounds like martial law to me....

hmmm

[DrRang]

26. Here's another stab at it, with a sucky dictionary

Communique from the Armed Forces of the nation to the people of Bolivia

Since the reinstatement of democracy more than 22 years ago, there have been those who intend to involve the Armed Forces in ??? and coups d’etat. She (the armed forces)has always respected and defended the democratic process.

The crisis of April 2002 marked the beginning of a deep crisis of democracy, showing the fragility of the political system, provoking chaos, anarchy, and the characteristic ungovernability of this period, that has brought to Bolivia a situation of unpredictable consequences that range from the thesis of intervention by the State up to a process of sedition inside the same, and this will not be accepted, because above all criteria and interests is the present and future of the country/people recognizing their differences.

Today there remains only one path, the dialog between Bolivians, a new social pact between citizens with the same rights and obligations.

The nation’s Armed Forces, from their vision and constitutional mission, are obligated to call on the (their?) good sense, the rationality and unique understanding in order to avoid national suicide, summoning a political-social truce that ought to be assumed by all the actors/plaintiffs in the current crisis.

The constitutional succession ought to be carried out in a framework of serenity and profound reflection, in service of which we exhort the members of the Honorable National Congress and the mobilized sectors to listen to all the actors/plaintiffs that are making their voices heard, to avoid a confrontation between Bolivians.

Society demands a profound transformation of the political system, ?????? political power is not able to exercise its constitutional mandate to establish conditions of order within a State of human rights and respect.

(We propose) a new Bolivia where we ????? to know which are the reasons for which one ought to feel pride in being Bolivian and thus to participate actively in the process of development with transparency.

The nation’s Armed Forces follow with attention the development of the happenings and the framework of their authority, they will work if necessary to preserve the national integrity and sovereignty, the empire of the law, and the defense of democracy, ??? those who want to destroy the ultimate bastion of the country, that we ourselves, even/although it remains ??? in order to complete our sacred duty.

Whoops! Posting the translation took out all the question marks in brackets where I couldn't find the words. Tried taking out the brackets.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. If I get the gist of this right, the military is threatening to take over

Is that what this says?

[David Zephyr]

12. Sort of in a cryptic way.

It really just says that the Armed Forces will protect Bolivia's democracy and stability.

But it begs the question: why on earth would the "Armed Forces" issue a "communication to the people of Bolivia" at all?

[aneerkoinos]

31. To keep the peace?

That's my interpretation, to reassure that Armed Forces are not backing Vaca Diez and refuse to start a civil war. "To protect national integrity and sovereignty" may carry a message to Santa Cruz oligarchic separatists and US troops and neocon Senator in neighbouring Paraguay.

[funflower]

4. Anybody able to provide some background? Preferably in English?

What's the crisis of March, 2002?

[Total Disaster]

6. The problem was in April of 2002, and the word marco means...

....marked. Specifically, "marked the beginning of a profound crisis" etc.

[Total Disaster]

5. The military is trying to reassure the people that even though they...

...may have to assume control, they will continue to protect democratic reforms already in place.....that's it, in a nutshell.

[burrowowl]

18. Yep

that is it in a nutshell.
If they don't shoot the protesters, I will believe then.

[Vladimir]

7. Bleeding heck

if there really are splits within the military over this as narconews has been suggesting, this could be the beginning of civil war...

[David Zephyr]

13. Yes.

Some estimates that the majority of the soldiers have said they will not fire on their own people. But on the other hand, history shows that many times they will.

[texanwitch]

8. here it is in English

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OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE FFAA OF THE NATION
FFAA (09/06/2005 20:12)
OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE ARMED FORCES FROM THE NATION TO THE TOWN OF BOLIVIA

OFFICIAL NOTICE

The Armed Forces of the Naci?al town of Bolivia:

From reinstauraci?de the democracy does m?de 22 a, bays have been the attempts to involve to the Armed Forces in riots and coup d'etats. She always, has respected and defended the process democr?co.

The crisis of April of the 2002 marc?l beginning of a deep crisis of the democracy, showing the fragility of the system pol?co, causing caracter?icos chaos, anarqu?e ungovernability of this period, that has taken to Bolivia to one situaci?de unpredictable consequences that go from the intervenci?al thesis Been to a process of inner sedici?al of the same one, and this does not go away to accept, because on all the criteria and I the future interest est?l present and of the Mother country recognizing their differences.

Today single it is left a way, di?go between Bolivians, a new social pact between such right citizens with and obligations.

The Armed Forces of the Naci?desde misi?constitucional his visi?y est?en to have to call to the sanity, the?cos rationality and the understanding ways to avoid the national suicide summoning to a pol?co-social truce that must be assumed by all the actors of the present crisis.

The sucesi?constitucional must be carried out in a frame of deep serenity and reflexi? for which we exhorted to the members of the Honorable National Congress and to the mobilized sectors to listen to all the actors whom est?haciendo o?su voice to avoid the confrontation between Bolivians.

The society demands deep transformaci?del system pol?co, because the power pol?co has not been able to exert its constitutional mandate to establish conditions of order within a State of right and respect.

Let us propose the new Bolivia where we begin to know cu?s are the reasons for which one must feel pride of being Bolivian and to as?articipar actively in the process of development with transparency.

Armed Forces of Naci?siguen with atenci?el development of events and within the framework of his attributions, actuar?de to be necessary to preserve integrity and soberan?nacional, empire of law and defense of democracy, warning to that they want to destroy the one that?imo basti?de the Mother country, that we are, a?permanece inc?me to fulfill its asylum to have.

Homepage: http://www.fab-extraoficial.tk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

to a?ir commentaries

OFFICIAL NOTICE To The Armed Forces
meloruiz 09/06/2005 21:07
I want to declare and to give to alert to all ours naci?y in special to the Armed Forces that instead of killing to the miners of so single ours pa?que come to fight by our resources is worth to do them memories that are not renewable and that have been given by the gonismo and its gang of parliamentarians and its partisans who the Armed Forces OF the NACI? THEY MUST FOLLOW WITH ATENCI? THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EVENTS OF THE CHILEAN INZULZA WHO INSULTS TOMANDONOS TO US LIKE IGNORANTES, PROTECTS THE BORDERS OF CHILE THAT AT THIS MOMENT WELL PREPARED ESTN LIKE FOR A INVASI? SUPPORTED BY The UN And The SACKING And The APROPIACI? OF OUR EARTH THIS IT IS A MESSAGE OF A CITIZEN WHOM IT GIVES ALERTS To the Armed Forces THAT INSTEAD OF PUTTING BULLET To DEFENSELESS FARMERS And MACHISTAS WHO CAN BE PREPARED To The CHILEAN SIEGE

OFFICIAL NOTICE To The FFAA OF The NATION
mqxx 09/06/2005 21:07
OFFICIAL NOTICE Of the TOWN MOBILIZED To The FFAA OF OPERATING CLASSES And CIPAYOS Of YANKEE IMPERIALISM

WE COMMUNICATED TO THEM

That the heroic town of Bolivia in their quality of own subject of their History, of due?legitimo of their 20 natural and cultural wealth a has resisted but of? of indirect, agreed, corrupt, dependent and intolerante an excluding system, of minorias. Also, that same town has had to pay with its efforts and work the constitution of inefectivas FFAA for the defense of the national territory but trained very well to massacre original nations in earth high and low, farmers, workers and with special sa?a mining workers.
Today, to the Bolivian town, it does not have left but that a way because the FFAA already have chosen of which side estan, like always, like the Church. That way is the one of its emancipation destroying the Armed Forces that single served to massacre the worthy and humble town.
The Bolivian town does not try to call to the FFAA to the sanity or the reason, because they never have it... had it. They were always the constabularia force of the rich, faithful dogs of foreign imperialism, enemy declared of the working class, the class farmer, the original towns, the students, the poor men.
We communicated, to the FFAA of the operating classes, that the constitutional succession is a local juggling of transnational oil ones and oligarquias. The confrontation is not between Bolivians (de who Bolivia speak); it is between rich and poor men.
The society became deeply. He is inevitable. You are single an impediment for the course of History and the emancipation of the humble and heroic town of Bolivia.
To the mobilized town of Bolivia they do not scare the disguised threats to him of his OFFICIAL NOTICES. We are preparing ourselves nonsingle to resist but also to leave victorious the crisis in which they have sunk the "parents to us of the mother country," the "military bastion" and the police cane, cobardia ad infinitum of Table and angurria antimother country of Cow Ten.

The vencera Bolivian town!
Let us organize the armed resistance!
NATIONALIZATION OF OUR RESOURCES!
ORIGINAL POPULAR ASSEMBLY!
REVOLUTION Or DEATH!
WE WILL WIN!

email: [e-mail]
OFFICIAL NOTICE To The Armed Forces
meloruiz 09/06/2005 21:07
I want to declare and to give to alert to all ours naci?y in special to the Armed Forces that instead of killing to the miners of so single ours pa?que come to fight by our resources is worth to do them memories that are not renewable and that have been given by the gonismo and its gang of parliamentarians and its partisans who the Armed Forces OF the NACI? THEY MUST FOLLOW WITH ATENCI? THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EVENTS OF THE CHILEAN INZULZA WHO INSULTS TOMANDONOS TO US LIKE IGNORANTES, PROTECTS THE BORDERS OF CHILE THAT AT THIS MOMENT WELL PREPARED ESTN LIKE FOR A INVASI? SUPPORTED BY The UN And The SACKING And The APROPIACI? OF OUR EARTH THIS IT IS A MESSAGE OF A CITIZEN WHOM IT GIVES ALERTS To the Armed Forces THAT INSTEAD OF PUTTING BULLET To DEFENSELESS FARMERS And MARCHISTAS WHO CAN BE PREPARED To The CHILEAN SIEGE

OFFICIAL NOTICE To The Armed Forces
meloruiz 09/06/2005 21:07
I want to declare and to give to alert to all ours naci?y in special to the Armed Forces that instead of killing to the miners of so single ours pa?que come to fight by our resources is worth to do them memories that are not renewable and that have been given by the gonismo and its gang of parliamentarians and its partisans who the Armed Forces OF the NACI? THEY MUST FOLLOW WITH ATENCI? THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EVENTS OF THE CHILEAN INZULZA WHO INSULTS TOMANDONOS TO US LIKE IGNORANTES, PROTECTS THE BORDERS OF CHILE THAT AT THIS MOMENT WELL PREPARED ESTN LIKE FOR A INVASI? SUPPORTED BY The UN And The SACKING And The APROPIACI? OF OUR EARTH THIS IT IS A MESSAGE OF A CITIZEN WHOM IT GIVES ALERTS To the Armed Forces THAT INSTEAD OF PUTTING BULLET To DEFENSELESS FARMERS And MARCHISTAS WHO CAN BE PREPARED To The CHILEAN SIEGE

to the Armed Forces
meloruiz 09/06/2005 21:13
I want to declare and to give to alert to all ours naci?y in special to the Armed Forces that instead of killing to the miners of so single ours pa?que come to fight by our resources is worth to do them memories that are not renewable and that have been given by the gonismo and its gang of parliamentarians and its partisans who the Armed Forces OF the NACI? THEY MUST FOLLOW WITH ATENCI? THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EVENTS OF THE CHILEAN INZULZA WHO INSULTS TOMANDONOS TO US LIKE IGNORANTES, PROTECTS THE BORDERS OF CHILE THAT AT THIS MOMENT WELL PREPARED ESTN LIKE FOR A INVASI? SUPPORTED BY The UN And The SACKING And The APROPIACI? OF OUR EARTH THIS IT IS A MESSAGE OF A CITIZEN WHOM IT GIVES ALERTS To the Armed Forces THAT INSTEAD OF PUTTING BULLET To DEFENSELESS FARMERS And MARCHISTAS WHO CAN BE PREPARED To The CHILEAN SIEGE

It could be acceptable, but
Antonio Gonzalez 09/06/2005 21:29

Logico can be considered the exposition of the military,
for it, that FF AA accept the claims of
social movements and from ahi begin the negotiations for a new social pact, of insurance that
FF AA did not accept this, by tanrto everything is farce e
hipocrecia and when Chile and Brazil invade safe Bolivia
FF AA added the invaders.



http://bolivia.indymedia.org/es/2005/06/19598.shtml

[funflower]

11. Wow. Their translation is about as good as mine.

;-)

[texanwitch]

15. glad to help out

www.Able2Know.com

I used the able2know toolbar, it's great for translation.

[struggle4progress]

9. Lacking the knowledge of Bolivian military politics ..

.. needed to read between the lines, and not being fluent enough in Spanish to detect careful nuances, my first impression is that this rather clearly says the Armed Forces want to respect and defend democratic process and that the only way is for Bolivians immediately engage in national dialog:

"Today there is only one way, a dialogue between Bolivians, a new social pact between citizens with the same rights and obligations ... The constitutional succession must be carried out in a context of serenity and deep reflection, for which (reason) we call upon members of the Honorable National Congress and upon mobilized sectors to listen all the actors who are making hear their voice to avoid confrontation between Bolivians."

As I read the communique, it appears to be contain language designed to placate various parties: comments about "chaos, anarchy and ungovernability" and "conditions of order within a State of right and respect" appear to play to the authoritarians, while "society demands a deep transformation of the political system" and "participate actively in the process of development with transparency" appear to play to reformers.

This may indeed threaten military takeover -- but I am hoping it represents the somewhat ambiguous statement of a politically divided military, with fundamental loyalty to democracy and rule of law, that is really trying to say, "Can't we all please just work this out?"

[K-W]

14. The army wants to broker a new peace between the classes,

meaning it doesnt intend to back either side against the other.

I believe the Army has already hinted that they would stand in between any conflicting fashions.

[IndianaGreen]

10. Condi Rice's lapdog Roger Noriega blames Chavez for the crisis!

Ironically, the collapse of the Bolivian government coincided with the collapse of the Bush administration’s efforts to ram through the Organization of American States a plan to set up a permanent mechanism for monitoring the democratic performance of the hemisphere’s governments and pave the way for US-led interventions. Latin American and Caribbean delegates to the OAS general assembly meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida rejected the US proposal, seeing it as a transparent attempt to advance Washington’s provocations against the Venezuelan government of President Hugo Chávez. Instead, they opted for a “compromise” measure that merely stated the body’s commitment to democracy, while warning of outside intervention in the internal affairs of member states.

As the OAS meeting ground toward a close, the US State Department’s top official on Latin America, Roger Noriega, issued a belligerent and imbecilic statement charging the Venezuelan regime with instigating the events in Bolivia.

“Chávez’s profile in Bolivia has been very apparent from the beginning,” said Noriega. “His record is apparent and speaks for itself.”

Alí Rodríguez, Venezuela’s foreign minister, categorically rejected the accusations of the US official. “The problems in Bolivia are problems that belong to Bolivia, and it is up to the Bolivians to solve them,” he said. “Venezuela is scrupulously respectful of the sovereignty of all countries.” He challenged Washington to produce any proof of its charge of Venezuelan meddling.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jun2005/boli-j09.shtml

[K-W]

16. It makes sense if you if you believe in the cold war.

Chavez is a prominant figure in the South American left for completely obvious and un-sinister reasons, but if you believe that all leftists movements are potentially communist demon machines, than of course Chavez spreading his evil demon thoughts throughout South America is a plot to overthrow us all.

[Jack Rabbit]

17. My attempt

From the Armed Forces to the people of Bolivia:

Since the reinstitution of democracy 22 years ago, there have been several vain attempts to involve the Armed Forces in uprisings or coups d'etat. The Armed Forces have always respected the democratic process.

The crisis of April 2002 marked the beginning of a profound crisis of democracy, showing the fragility of the political system, provoking chaos, anarchy and ungovernerability in this period, which has placed Bolivia in a situation where the consequences are unpredictable since the idea of invention in the a state in the process of sedition in the interior is not acceptable to all parties.

Today there is only one way, a national dialog among Bolivians, a new social contract among citizens with the same rights and obligations.

Since the vision and mission of the Armed Forces of the Nation is in its duty to call for wisdom, rationality and understand as the only ways to avoid national suicide, we called for a political-social truce among all the players in the this crisis.

The constitutional succession should be must be brought about in a mark of calm and great reflection, for which urge the members of the Honorable National Congress and those who have mobilized to listen to all the those that are making themselves heard in order to avoid a confrontation among Bolivians.

Society requires a great transformation of the political system because those in political powers have not been able to exercise their constitutional mandate to establish conditions of order within a state of law and respect.

We propose a new Bolivia where we can begin to know what are the reasons why one should be proud to be a Bolivian and thus openly participate in a process of development.

The Armed Forces of the Nation continue to pay attention to events as they develop and in that framework will do what is necessary to preserve national integrity, the rule of law and the defense of democracy, putting those who would destroy it on notice that we, as the last resort of the Country, always remain ready to comply with our sacred duty.

[IndianaGreen]

19. A coup may be imminent! Vaca Diez taken to Army garrison

- Hormando Vaca Diez salió del Congreso en Sucre custodiado por dos tropas del GES (dálmatas) rumbo al cuartel de El Tejar ¿por qué a un cuartel?.

http://bolivia.indymedia.org/

Hormando Vaca Diez left the Congress in Sucre under the protection of two troops from GES (dalmatians) towards the garrison at El Tejar. Why a garrison?

NOTE:

Group (GES), a police unit popularly known as "Dalmatas" (Dalmatians). Most of the GES agents were trained by the US;

A number of violent incidents have been attributed to the Special
Security Group (GES), a police unit popularly known as "Dalmatas"
(Dalmatians). Most of the GES agents were trained by the US; GES
Cochabamba commander Col. Antonio Jordan said they have "a
certain specialty and an affinity for dealing with
confrontational civilian groups."

http://www.tulane.edu/~libweb/RESTRICTED/WEEKLY/2002_0210.txt

[daleo]

20. Is the BFEE behind this?

It is hard to believe they won't do their best to take advantage of it anyway. Latin America has been acting pretty independent, lately. Maybe they will try to use Bolivia to destabilize the area.

Possibly it has nothing to do with them, though.

On edit: Watch for the propaganda spin, I guess. It may take a day or two to settle down.

[IndianaGreen]

21. Here is the link to Radio Fides. It is reporting that Vaca Diez will not..

become President of Bolivia:

http://www.radiofides.com/

[Jack Rabbit]

22. What does this mean, IG?

Vaca Diez is holed up in a military garrison and, if my poor Spanish serves me well enough, he is "declining" to be President and accusing Mesa and Evo Morales of entering into some sort of agreement where their is a quid pro quo.

Is somebody in the Armed Forces just about to say, "Screw the politicians; we're taking over"?

[K-W]

27. The military is saying it refuses to participate in a coup. EOM

[IndianaGreen]

28. We are getting contradictory stories about Vaca Diaz

On one hand, he is saying that he doesn't want to be President, on the other hand, he is protected by US trained troops at an army garrison. Then we got the strange communique from the armed forces.

From Granma:

According to Evo Morales, leader of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), the (police and military) deployment is intended to prevent mass demonstrations of repudiation of Vaca Diez, who convened the session there in light of the demonstrations that have been occurring in La Paz since May 16.

Mesa, the MAS, and grassroots, humanitarian and business organizations propose that the presidents of both chambers of Congress renounce their option to succeed Mesa, and leave the presidency to the head of the Supreme Court, Justice Eduardo Rodríguez, who would then convene elections.

The mayors of Bolivia’s seven largest cities, led by Mayor Juan del Granado of La Paz, called for Vaca Diez’ resignation and the convening of elections under Rodríguez. They also asked for consideration of the demands put forward by demonstrators – who besieged Mesa until he resigned this past Monday – for the nationalization of hydrocarbon resources and the convening of a constituent assembly.

Jaime Solares, leader of the Bolivian Workers Federation (COB), reported that his organization as well as those of El Alto and other trade unions have agreed to organize a popular assembly as a dual power structure given the existing vacuum.

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2005/junio/juev9/25elec.html

[Jack Rabbit]

30. Thank you, IG

It looks for the moment, by putting together the stories from the Cuban and British press, that no one really wanted to decide, so by default it's power to the people. There will be elections and that is what they wanted.

[Jack Rabbit]

25. BBC (Friday 02:20 GMT): Breakthrough in Bolivian crisis (here ya go, IG)

From the BBC Online
Dated Friday June 10 02:20 GMT (Thursday 7:20 pm PDT)

Breakthrough in Bolivian crisis

There are signs of a solution to Bolivia's political deadlock, with the Senate speaker Hormando Vaca Diez saying he will not seek the presidency.

Protesters had halted a parliament session, due to accept President Carlos Mesa's resignation, because they objected to Mr Vaca Diez taking over.

Now he has stepped aside, there is a prospect of early elections . . . .

The next in line (after Vaca Diez), the head of the lower house, had already said he would decline to succeed Mr Mesa - meaning that the presidency would pass to the head of the Supreme Court.

Read more.

I guess the Bolivians don't have to have a Cow over this (pun intended).

[burrowowl]

32. Good News!

Here is hoping the BFEE et al don't interfer!

[funflower]

23. Anyone know a good English source for news from Latin America?

[hang a left]

24. I checked

www.narconews.com and there is nothing there yet.

[hang a left]

29. Here is the latest story at narconews

Hormando Vaca Diez Says Will Not Be President of Bolivia; Congress About to Meet
By Luis Gomez,
Posted on Thu Jun 9th, 2005 at 10:25:32 PM EST
We haven’t stopped in Bolivia, and it’s now past 9:00 at night. A half hour ago Senator Vaca Diez left the Sucre Battalion military installation, where he had taken refuge since suspending the session of Congress scheduled for today. He came it the center of the Bolivian capital to give a press conference, at which he renounced his right to presidential succession, but also blamed Carlos Mesa and Evo Morales for everything that had happened to him and asked them for certain guarantees in order to begin the session.

Evo responded almost immediately. And he asked that Vaca Diez simply renounce his right is right to succeed Carlos Mesa as president and call the Congress… we’ll keep reporting on this from here as it develops.
Hormando Vaca Diez, making himself out as the ultimate victim of the crisis that has this country in a virtual state fo war, announced that he was willing to finally give up his right to succeed Mesa, who he meanwhile accused of never having been willing to leave.

Also accusing Evo of not having given enough security guarantees to hold legislative sessions for several days, Vaca Diez said that the marchers demonstrating against the government are “Don Evo Morales’ marchers, and don Carlos Mesa’s as well.”

http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2005/6/9/222532/7815

[NNN0LHI]

33. Anyone know where Otto Reich has been hanging out these days? n/t

[CHIMO]

34. Bolivia: On the Verge of Bloodbath?

Tensions remain high in Latin America's poorest country, Bolivia, and some fear the situation could rapidly deteriorate into a bloodbath or a civil war. Today, the Bolivian Congress will attempt to convene to decide who will govern the country following the resignation earlier this week of President Carlos Mesa, who stepped down amid massive protests led by groups representing the country's majority indigenous population. The protests have shut down large areas of the country and have been largest in the political capital La Paz. The situation is so volatile there that the Congress has been unable to convene and so lawmakers are headed to the historical capital of Sucre to hold emergency meetings today.

The outgoing president, Mesa, is warning that the country may be on the brink of a civil war. In an unusual move, Mesa publicly called on the right-wing President of the Bolivian Senate to waive his constitutional right to succeed Mesa. But that politician, Hormando Vaca Diez has made clear he does not intend to do that and has warned that if the demonstrators opposed him, there could be a bloodbath. The right-wing Vaca Diez has also hinted that he may declare martial law. In a statement that has worried veteran Bolivia analysts, he said ''I am absolutely convinced that the armed forces will back us." Meanwhile, veteran Bolivia analyst Jim Shultz of the Democracy Center in Cochabamba is reporting that his sources are telling him that the US embassy is now in talks with Vaca Diez, helping to pave the way for his taking over the presidency. He also reports that just before Mesa resigned earlier this week, he met with the US ambassador. Shultz writes "Vaca Diez is a close ally of the deposed and reviled ex-President, Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada. He comes from Santa Cruz, the region whose demands for autonomy have helped spark this crisis. He is an opponent of returning the country’s gas and oil to public hands. He has also called chillingly for Mesa “to govern”, again, shorthand for using the military to crush protests."

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/06/09/1248252
This was a headline news item. Amey spent about 5 minutes on it.


Vaca Diez Relents
http://www.democracyctr.org/blog/index.htm

[IntiRaymi]

35. 14 Thousand soldiers deployed in 2 cities in Bolivia

This is all in Spanish, but I will try to translate this further down...

14 mil militares se movilizan en 2 ciudades para asegurar la sucesión
<snip>
“No se romperá el ordenamiento democrático. No habrá cierre del Parlamento. La Constitución nos autoriza a imponer el orden, el costo va a ser tremendo, vamos a apagar el incendio y le vamos a llamar al hombre que tiene consenso”, afirmó la fuente militar consultada.

Esta posición de las FFAA tiene respaldo en el artículo 208 de la Constitución Política del Estado, que establece la misión de la institución militar respecto a la seguridad y estabilidad del país.

MY TRANSLATION

14 Thousand military men are mobilized in 2 cities to assure succession.
...
"The democratic order will not be interrupted. The senate will not be closed. The constitution authorizes us to impose order, the cost will be tremendous, we will quiet the blaze, and we will call on the man who enjoys consensus," affirmed the spokesperson for the armed forces.
ThiS position of the Armed Forces has the support of article 208 of the Political Constitution of the State, which establishes the mission of the military institution with respect to the security and the stability of the country.

This is from a local news source:
http://www.la-razon.com/versiones/20050610_005203/nota_249_177968.htm

From the article, it appears as if though most of the deployments are to La Paz, which is the focus of the indigenous movilizations, and to Santa Cruz, a focus of secessionist thought.

[izzie]

36. I hate to ask as I have read little one this. Is this about the mines?

National vs. corp. and all that I guess is what I am thinking.

[aneerkoinos]

37. Impartial

I think it's being impartial, and for maintaining constitutional rule and law and integrity of the country, the mission of any Army in any country. Santa Cruz is extremely important, that's where the oil and gaz is and the rich oligarchs are demandinc secession of Santa Cruz from rest of the country. Santa Cruz is next to the border of Paraguay, where who knows how many US troops are located.

So at least partly I see this as pre-emptive move in case Vaca Diez and rest of the Santa Cruz oligarchs still plan something with Noriega's troops.

[izzie]

38. I will do some reading up on this. Thanks.

--

[nodehopper]

40. it's about "free trade" and natural gas exports

The president has been trying to institute low-tax trade that would screw over the workers, who want more $. It is totally national vs. corp and a classical globalization market conflict.

[symbolman]

39. Oh but that someone would do that here..

I'm almost serious.. maybe Clark could get a bunch of pals together and take the ship back from Captain Queeg Bush..

Hell, I'd accept aliens from space taking over now :)