Quest for Peace - Bolivia

Bolivia - Slow pace of change bothers president

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:26:51 -0400

El Universal Daily (Venezuela) (8/21/06)

Bolivian president Evo Morales, who came to power seven months ago promising structural changes that would pull Bolivia out of poverty, expressed his exasperation with the slow implementation of his plans. As a result, he announced a series of measures aimed at encouraging foreign investment. After two days of governmental self-evaluation, during which he shared reports and analyses with almost one hundred bureaucrats, including ministers, vice ministers, and vice-president Álvaro García, the president identified the bureaucracy as his biggest obstacle. In attempt to accelerate progressive changes, Morales announced that, in the next few days, the government would present a legal project to de- bureaucratize the government and approval process for projects. Morales also approved an ambitious development plan that anticipates public investment of 12.6 billion dollars through the year 2011. In addition, Morales admitted that his "agrarian revolution" was being delayed due to lack of consensus with the business community.

Bolivia Appoints a new Ambassador to the United States

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 17:02:59 -0400

Gustavo Guzman the new Bolivian ambassador who has been assigned to the United States is traveling to the U. S. on August 15^th. A few days before setting out for Washington, Guzman is presenting President Evo Morales' strategy to establish a "historic relationship" with the North American power.

Press Release from Andean Indigenous Organizations

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 15:20:14 -0400

Press Release

Five Hundred official delegates from the following groups: ECUARANI (Ecuador), CONACAMI (Peru), CONAMAQ (Bolivia), ONIC (Colombia), and CITEM (Chile are participating in the First Congress of the Andean Coordinating Committee of Indigenous of Indigenous Organizations (Quechua, Kichwa, Aymara, Mapuche)

Morales in attempt to rescue the Andean Community of Nations

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 12:26:48 -0400

Morales in attempt to rescue the Andean Community of Nations

- CAN countries seek an extension of trade preferences from the United States;
- On assuming the role of president pro tempore of the CAN at the closing of yesterday’s extraordinary conference, Morales asserted that he would do anything in his power to “save the Andean Community of Nations for the benefit of the majority”

Ecuador seeks to unite the Andean countries at upcoming CAN meeting

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:44:25 -0400

Associated Press June 3, 2006

QUITO - The Chancellor responsible for the next regional presidential conference, to be held in Quito next week, says that Ecuador will use the meetings to seek to preserve Andean integration..

Morales describes businessmen who are critical of his "politics of foreign independence" as "selling out the country"

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:37:21 -0400

Bolivia - LA PAZ, June 3^rd (EP/AP)

Today, Bolivian president Evo Morales described the businessmen who have criticized him for driving the country in the "wrong direction and towards indigenous foreign independence" as "selling out the country."

Morales describes businessmen who are critical of his "politics of foreign independence" as "selling out the country"

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:37:21 -0400

Bolivia - LA PAZ, June 3^rd (EP/AP)

BOLIVIA'S AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 14:08:37 -0400

Bolivia's Executive Branch clarifies the scope of the Agrarian Revolution - Government to transfer 20 million hectares in five years
Carlos Morales Peña
President of the Republic Evo Morales announced yesterday the beginning of an "agrarian revolution" designed to redistribute 20 million hectares in five years in order to rectify the country's current inequitable land distribution. The majority of the lands soon to be redistributed within the country are located in Santa Cruz, Beni, and La Paz. This announcement by the Ministry of the Presidency clarified the extent of the agrarian reform project, which will be put in effect by the Morales administration in the upcoming weeks.

First ALBA-PTA trade exhibition opens today

Wed, 31 May 2006 14:16:31 -0400

Lostiempos.com May 24, 2006 Cochabamba, Bolivia

AT LEAST 150 BUISNESSMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN TODAY'S MEETING

The First Trade Fair of Interchange and Integration between Bolivia, Cuba, and Venezuela within the framework of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) and the People's Trade Agreement (PTA) will open formally today with the presence of at least 150 large, medium, small, and micro businesses.

Evo Morales says: "There is no erosion of democracy in Bolivia"

Thu, 25 May 2006 17:09:38 -0400

ROSA ROJAS- LA JORNADA NEWSPAPER, MX

La Paz, May 23^rd. Bolivian president Evo Morales affirmed today that in his administration "there is no erosion" or "abuse of democracy." To the contrary, democracy is being strengthened and the nationalization of hydrocarbons does not signify any violation of human rights when compared with the uncontrolled "looting" of natural resources.

Evo Morales says: "There is no erosion of democracy in Bolivia"

Thu, 25 May 2006 17:09:38 -0400

Wednesday May 24, 2006

Statement from EU-Latin American Unions and Civil Society Working Group

Mon, 22 May 2006 16:23:46 -0400

REGARDING THE IV SUMMIT OF HEADS OF
STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Statement by Brazilian networks, campaigns, social movements and organizations in support of the Bolivian people

Wed, 10 May 2006 08:45:48 -0400

Bolivia has the right of sovereignty over its natural resources!

The social movements, organizations, networks and other entities recognize the right of the Bolivian people to control their natural resources, and to initiate, with the government of Evo Morales the reconstruction of their national and popular identity. Sovereignty is negotiated, it is respected!

New Regional Political Force Emerging in South America

Fri, 5 May 2006 16:21:13 -0400

On May 4^th there was an historic meeting between the presidents of Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina. It was called ‘with urgency' by the President Lula, of Brazil, as a response to the Bolivian nationalization of their hydrocarbon resources. But its long term implications appear to be much more significant. There are many spins about the level of tensions and many unresolved issues, but what seems most clear is that the meeting signifies a change the power dynamics in the region. With Venezuela already becoming a part of Mercosur, it seems that a new regional configuration is under construction. They will work to strengthen Mercosur by moving closer to additional countries and regional blocks.

COHA Memorandum to the Press: Bolivia's Gas Nationalization:

Thu, 4 May 2006 14:30:29 -0400

Good analysis from Council on Hemispheric Affairs on Morales' decision to nationalize Bolivia's national gas industry - and some specifics on what that means. It is not an expropriation of existing infrastructure - despite the theatre of soldiers of occupying facilities. Morales is fulfilling a promise he made during the campaign, and it is a move that could bring many benefits if that state company is able to manage the new contracts well. There is also some good analysis here of the regional political situation, and how this may play out with Brazil.