MORALES Approves Expulsion of US Company from Bolivia

[magbana]

Evo Morales Approves Expulsion of US Company from Bolivia

HAVANA, Cuba, Jun 29 (acn) Bolivian President Evo Morales gave his support Thursday to a call by coca leaf growers of the province of Chapare, Cochabamba to expel the US Agency for International Development (USAID), reports Granma.

Cuban News Agency

Morales said Bolivia would not "kneel to the US Empire" and added "I welcome the decision of the small farmers movement and of the mayors of Cochabamba. Now, I feel and hope that the Chapare will not only be illiteracy free but also a territory free of US imperialism," said Morales as reported EFE.

At a meeting with the rural population in Alcantari where he delivered ambulances donated by Spain, Evo once again denounced USAID and the US embassy in Bolivia for their actions aimed at destabilizing his government.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Walker San Miguel rejected the decision of the top authorities of the Departments of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Tarija and Cochabamba who say they will not hold the nationwide August 10 recall referendum in their departments to determine whether they and President Morales should remain in office. Instead they are calling for early general elections.

According to Prensa Latina, the Defense official said that behind the desperation of these governors lie veiled intentions for a coup. "Proposing early general elections would be tantamount to a coup, an attack on democracy," San Miguel told reporters.

Meanwhile, Ecuador said Thursday that it backs the Bolivian government and President Evo Morales in the face of destabilization efforts in the Andean nation, reported Prensa Latina.


http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2008/0627evomorales.htm

http://snipurl.com/2pxti

[Judi Lynn]

1. Good for Ecuador! Remember that we already learned Argentina, and Brazil

have made statements that they would REFUSE to do any business whatsoever with the separatist areas if they officially secede, so they will have NO ONE buying their material in South America, and they are landlocked, as well.

Bolivia does have a lot of allies by now. Hoping the very best for the people who deserve it.

[EFerrari]

2. Muy bien hecho. Go Evo. No need to host vipers. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

3. Bolivian coca growers cut ties with USAID

Bolivian coca growers cut ties with USAID
By News Bulletin, The Andean Information Network
Jun 29, 2008, 11:36

On June 24, 2008 Chapare coca grower unions announced that they will no longer sign new aid agreements with USAID.1 This announcement comes after two decades of poorly-focused policies, which did little to improve the lives of the majority of Chapare residents, especially during forced eradication. These development programs also provoked division and friction within the region by dividing communities and linking aid to controversial coca reduction. As a result, it is not surprising that Chapare coca growers made this decision; it is only surprising that they waited so long. Furthermore, the announcement is largely a symbolic gesture; USAID plans to shift the bulk of its already restricted Chapare activities to the La Paz Yungas in the coming year, and Chapare municipalities have found other funding partners. According to the 2008 INSCR, “Relatively more resources will be devoted to the Yungas, an under-developed coca growing region ….Assistance to the Chapare will continue to decline….” As a result, the number and scope of projects affected is minimal.

It is interesting to note that there has been no rejection of cooperation with the U.S. Narcotics Affairs Section or the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in the Chapare. Coca grower representatives affirm the need for their presence, “because their policy is to fight drug trafficking, like ours, but now it’s on our terms.”2 Coordination on cooperative coca reduction and interdiction remain unaltered.

It is crucial to look beyond the initial perception of an anti-American political stance to address the genuine popular discontent generated by these programs in order to properly re-evaluate the structure and impact of USAID initiatives. In an environment where the weight of US funding has diminished greatly, it makes sense to accept the Chapare farmers’ “no thank you,” and allow the region’s residents to determine who they would like to work with to improve the lives of their families.

The long term frustration with USAID in the Chapare is real, but the threat of violence is highly unlikely. There is no apparent backlash against USAID workers. According to MAS congressman Asterio Romero, “We cordially request that they (USAID) leave; we won’t use force or take over their facilities, but we want them to go quickly."3 While some cocaleros may have said some provocative things such as calling the Chapare a “USAID-free territory,"4 USAID has not been entirely expelled from the Chapare – the few ongoing projects will most likely continue until their designated end dates. Coca growers are simply moving toward other sources of aid and away from the conditions and failures of USAID projects. The cocaleros made their decision to reject USAID at the same time that several large projects have ended and new projects through the European Union funded Social Control and Integrated Development initiatives – which focus on working with local communities and do not impose coca eradication – were launched.

More:
http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_27344.shtml