Oppose the fascist coup in Bolivia! (Sign the petition)

Dear comrades and friends,

You will be aware of the US-backed "civic coup" underway in the Bolivia, and the threats this poses to democracy and all nations' right to political, economic and social sovereignty.

We urge you/your organisation to sign the open petition we have initiated in support of President Evo Morales and the Bolivian people, and to circulate it widely among left and progressive individuals and activists.

We hope you may also be able to use the petition to bring pressure on the government of your own country to publicly state its support for Bolivia's right to freedom from imperialist intervention.

The petition is at:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/21871.html

Additional information is available at:

1. Fascist coup in Bolivia (see below): http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/767/39595

2. Eyewitness to Pando massacre: http://incakolanews.blogspot.com/2008/09/just-for-record.html

3. Eyewitness to Santa Cruz violence: http://www.marxist.com/orgy-fascist-violence-bolivia.htm

4. Ongoing news and information: http://boliviarising.blogspot.com

5. Solidarity needed with Venezuela: http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org

In solidarity,

Lisa Macdonald

Democratic Socialist Perspective International Committee

* * *

Bolivia: Fascist right launches ‘civic coup’

By Federico Fuentes and Stuart Munckton

September 13, 2008 – “[Today] a civil-prefectural coup against the unity of the country and democracy has been initiated”, Bolivian minister of government Alfredo Rada declared on September 9, as a growing wave of violence by small gangs of fascist youth engulfed the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

The violence by armed fascist gangs, backed by local authorities, spread in the following days throughout the rest of the so-called “half-moon” — the four eastern departments of Santa Cruz, Pando, Beni and Tarija. The half moon is home to much of Bolivia’s natural resources and the main base of opposition to the left-wing government of President Evo Morales from the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), who on August 10 won a recall referendum on his presidency with 67% of the vote.

With a sizeable white middle class, compared the largely indigenous west, the oligarchy in the east has worked overtime to whip up a racist frenzy against a national government headed by Bolivia’s first ever indigenous president and the largely indigenous social movements that back it.

The oligarchy has pushed for “autonomy” from the national government in a manoeuvre aimed to protect its privileges from the national government’s pro-people measures, and now appears to be attempting to impose its domination of the half moon by force.

Reign of terror

Incited by the Santa Cruz Civic Committee, which groups together sectors of the oligarchy, and with the collaboration of the departmental prefects in the east and the US embassy, on September 9 the fascist shock troops of the Santa Cruz Youth Union (UJC) laid siege to public institutions, NGOs, community radio stations and the offices of the state TV channel, in some cases attempting to burn them down.

That same day, the head of the parliamentary bloc of the right-wing Podemos party and large landowner, Antonio Franco, “applauded” the violent takeovers, while Podemos deputy for Santa Cruz, Oscar Urenda, issued an open call to arms.

“If we are going to talk about confrontation, then lets talk about confrontation, if we are going to talk about war, there will be war, but they are not going to able to impose things on us”, he proclaimed. “We are strong enough to split this country and if I have to grab a log, a gun, I will do it, I’m going to defend my territory.”

An eyewitness account from September 12 published on Marxist.com writes: “What started on September 9th as vandalism against public institutions has developed into a fascist orgy of violence which threatens civil war.”

The writer states: “The list of occupied institutions is long. Everything from tax offices, administration of land, immigration authorities to the department of forestry was brutally destroyed. The national administration of land had its entire inventory destroyed and burned, and the same happened to the nationalized telecom company ENTEL. ENTEL had its entire main building smashed and the fascist hordes stole everything of value.”

The writer reported a “consistent attack on all social organizations and government supporters. In Santa Cruz, the human rights organization Cejis, is ravaged and their entire inventory is burned and destroyed. The same happens to CIDOB, the indigenous people’s main organization in Eastern Bolivia. All left wing leaders are hunted and many have had to go underground.”

“In … Tarija, the fascist gangs attack the peasants’ marketplace. Molotov cocktails are thrown at all the stalls … One right wing leader declares Tarija to be independent and declares civil war in the region.”

According to a September 12 Reuters report, the government has accused the fascists of “a real massacre” against government supporters in Pando with at least 15 people recorded killed. The national government is seeking the arrest of Pando prefect, Leopoldo Fernandez, who is alleged to have organised the killings. Fernandez has fled to Brazil.

According to a September 10 AP report, opposition protesters blew up a pipeline in Tariji, reducing the flow of gas to Brazil by half at one point. The protests also interrupted the flow of gas to Argentina. Santos Ramirez, president of the state oil company, YPFB, called the explosion “a terrorist attack”.

In response, additional troops were immediately ordered to the eastern departments to secure gas and oil installations. Gas exports to Argentina and Brazil were returning to normal by September 12, according to a Reuters report that day.

Counter-offensive

The attempt to seize power through brute force in the half moon is clear, but it has been met by a counter-offensive by the government and the powerful social movements that support the process of change.

The eyewitness account provides one example of the heroic actions of supporters of the government in the Plan 3000 working class neighbourhood: “The workers have rallied to a massive defence against the 400 young fascists who attack the marketplace with clubs, Molotov cocktails and hand weapons. Rapidly, thousands rally for the defence which develops into extreme violence with many wounded. About 3 o’clock at night, the fascists have been driven out, but the inhabitants keep the entrenchment defended.”

In the lead-up to the current wave of violence, Morales declared that his government would ensure that the institutions and security of the state were respected and called for the “unity of the people and the Armed Forces to defend the process of change”, according to the September 9 Argentine daily Clarin.

The article reported that phone calls had poured into the state radio station asking Morales to decree a state of emergency.

Minister of the presidency Juan Ramon Quintana, however, stated on September 9 that the government would not declare a state of emergency, arguing that the opposition wanted to provoke repression in order to have a banner around which to mobilise wider sections of the population against the government.

The commander of the army’s eighth division, General Marco Bracamonte, declared that the military would prevent any further takeover of oil and gas installations and defend the security of the state.

On September 10, the Six Federations of Coca Growers of the Tropics of Cochabamba, the union organisation from which Morales emerged and still remains president of, along with peasant organisations in Santa Cruz, began to cut off Santa Cruz’s road access.

The Chapare coca-growing region in Cochabamba — a MAS stronghold — is strategically located with the main highway connecting Santa Cruz to Bolivia’s west running through it.

Other social organisations also began to block road access to the other eastern departments.

A September 11 Prensa Latina article reported on the pledge to continue and strengthen the blockade of Santa Cruz by the National Coordinator for Change (CONALCAM), which unites many of the social movements that support the process of change led by Morales.

Permanent mobilisation

Fidel Surco, president of the Confederation of Colonisers — an organisation of indigenous campesinos — announced that CONALCAM had called for “permanent mobilisations” until Congress ratifies a referendum on adopting the new draft constitution scheduled for December, according to Prensa Latina.

The draft constitution, which would expand the rights of indigenous people, enshrine greater state control over natural resources and open the way for redistribution of large land holdings to impoverished campesinos, is a key source of conflict.

A key demand of the right-wing forces in the half moon is to withdraw plans for a referendum on adopting the text.

On September 10, Morales announced the expulsion from Bolivia of the US ambassador, Philip Goldberg, for his role in backing the coup. Goldberg had publicly urged the US to intervene on the side of the ‘half moon authorities behind the violence. Golberg was given 72 hours to leave the country.

On September 11, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave the US ambassador in Caracas 72 hours to leave, in solidarity with Bolivia. On September 12, ABN reported that Honduras had suspended recognition of the US’s ambassador to it in solidarity with Venezuela and Bolivia.

The US responded be expelling the Venezuelan and Bolivian ambassadors from its territory

On September 11, Chavez offered Venezuelan military assistance in defence of democracy to Bolivia. “If any or our governments is overthrown, we will have a green light to perform military operations of any type to give the power back to the people in those countries”, Chavez insisted according to a September 1 Xinhua report.

Struggle for power

The “civic coup” that has been unleashed comes on the back of three weeks of small but violent demonstrations, generally limited to the inner city areas of the capitals of the half moon departments.

Protesters assaulted indigenous people, social movement leaders, MAS councillors, police officers and soldiers as well as initiating road blocks, occupying airports and state institutions and even physically taking over military airplanes.

The protests have focused on the issue of the revenue from the “direct tax on hydrocarbons”. More of the revenue from natural gas used to be directed towards the departmental authorities, but the Morales government is seeking to redirect revenue towards anti-poverty social programs, such as a new universal old-aged pension.

With moves towards nationalisation of Bolivia’s sizeable gas reserves — opposed by the opposition parties who, when in power, sought to privatise the industry — royalties from hydrocarbons have skyrocketed. As a result, even with the government’s redistribution policies, revenue to departments has still significantly increased.

Five of the nine departments are controlled by prefects openly hostile to the national government (the half moon plus Chuquisaca) and these authorities have used the increased funds to help organise violent destabilisation measures against the national government.

Since Morales’s crushing 67.4% victory in the recall referendum, his government has announced its intention for a referendum on the new constitution drafted by an elected constituent assembly.

While Morales issued a decree to hold the referendum on December 7, the National Electoral Court ruled that it would not hold the consultation as such a referendum had to be approved by parliament.

Oscar Ortiz, president of the Podemos-controlled Senate threatend on September 10 to intensify the violent protests if MAS insisted on its campaign to approve the new constitution, which would declare Bolivia a “plurinational state”.

Behind the half moon prefects and civic committees stand large agribusiness interests and gas transnationals who see their interests threaten by the advance of the self-proclaimed “democratic and cultural revolution” led by Morales.

Fearing the consolidation of the process of change, the rich elites have stepped up their attempts to oust the Morales government.

US role

The government has accused Santa Cruz Civic Committee president Branco Marinkovic, who only hours before had returned from a visit to Miami, of being the instigator of the plan to set the country alight.

Marinkovic, who has helped direct the UJC violence, is accused of acting “with the financial support and advise by ex-minister Carlos Sanchez Berzain, who is accused of genocide in Bolivia”, reported ABI on September 9.

Berzain is wanted in Bolivia on various charges relating to the deaths of more than 60 people in a massacre in 2003 that attempted to crush an uprising against plans to privatise Bolivia’s gas industry, when he was justice minister.

While Bolivia has asked the US to extradite both Berzain and Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada (president in 2003), the Bush administration has refused to collaborate. Instead, Berzain was granted asylum in the US in July.

Further evidence of the role of the US in the current coup was demonstrated in a brazen display of imperial arrogance when Goldberg declared that “Washington should interfere in [Bolivia’s] internal affairs” and “called on the Bolivian government of President Evo Morales to pay attention to the demands of the opposition”.

Golberg merely confirmed what the MAS government has long asserted: Washington is directly involved in the plot to overthrow Morales, including via increased funding to opposition parties, “civil society” organisations and pro-autonomy groups.

On August 25, Goldberg secretly met with Santa Cruz prefect Ruben Costas, only nine days after Costas had announced plans to violate the national law by implementing a series of “autonomy” measures aimed at undermining the national government.

Morales declared the decision to expel Goldberg to be a homage to the historic struggle of the Bolivian people against imperialism — adding that only the people organised can defend democracy.

According to a September 12 AP report, Morales decreed a state of emergency in Pando, sending fresh troops to secure control. The carrying of weapons is banned under the decree “to safeguard lives and the collective good”, according to Rada.

The decree came after the authorities in the half moon finally agreed to national government requests to enter into talks to resolve the crisis.

It is clear that the talks will centre on the question of the referendum on the new constitution, with the secretary for autonomy in Santa Cruz stating: “We all agree that we have to look for a point of compromise.”

Speaking in Cochabamba, Morales stated that opponents “have every right to reject the new constitution, but through the vote and not through violence”.

However the current crisis resolves itself, the battle between poor, mostly indigenous oppressed majority and the racist, US-backed oligarchy is a central part of the continent-wide struggle against US domination and neoliberalism.

Supporters of social justice around the world need to raise their voices against US intervention and fascism in Bolivia, and for democracy.

For ongoing news, as well as to sign on to an international statement of support for Bolivia, visit http://boliviarising.blogspot.com.]

From Green Left Weekly issue #767, September 17, 2008.

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Eduardo Garcia, Wed Sep 17, 2008

LA PAZ (Reuters) - Bolivia's first indigenous president, leftist Evo Morales, has deftly handled a violent political crisis and appears strengthened as he heads into talks with opposition governors who resist his socialist reforms.

At least 17 people were killed last week as anti-Morales protesters stormed government buildings, sabotaged natural gas pipelines and battled with the president's supporters in four opposition-controlled regions.

He ordered martial law in the remote Amazon province of Pando and arrested the governor there, accusing him of ordering a massacre of peasants last Thursday.

But soldiers showed restraint, taking a hands-off approach at times to avert confrontation. And South American presidents strongly backed Morales at an emergency summit this week, condemning any coup attempts or separatist rebellions.

"In South America there was unanimous and very strong support for the government. Other countries from the region, left, right and center, don't see the opposition as having a legitimate grievance," said Mark Weisbrot, head of the Washington-based Center for Economic and Policy Research.

Morales' measured approach contrasted with his detractors' violent protests and the killings that his government blamed on Pando Gov. Leopoldo Fernandez, who is being detained.

An editorial in El Deber, a top newspaper in opposition stronghold Santa Cruz province, said Morales had been "undeniably strengthened" by the South American presidents' backing and the opposition must rethink its protest strategy.

The rightist governors demand greater independence from the central government and more control over state energy revenues, an important element of the economy in the unstable, landlocked country at the heart of the continent.

In an accord reached on Tuesday, Morales agreed to discuss both issues in talks with the governors.

But a day later, he demanded that opposition lawmakers in Congress set a date for a referendum on a draft constitution and said the talks -- which he hopes will start on Wednesday -- should continue nonstop until a truce is reached.

Political scientist Franklin Pareja said Morales would only truly be strengthened if he made a deal with the opposition.

"There are no winners or losers, we all lose" after last week's deaths, Pareja said.

PLAN TO 'CONQUER'

A former coca-leaf farmer, Morales took power in early 2006 vowing to change the constitution to give more power to Bolivia's Indian majority and boost state control over natural resources.

He wants to put a draft constitution to a vote in the coming months, but political rivals oppose the charter as well as a plan to break up big estates to give land to the poor.

Both Morales and most of the opposition governors were ratified in a nationwide recall vote last month, with Morales winning 67 percent support.

El Mundo, another Santa Cruz newspaper, criticized the provincial governor and protest leader Branko Marinkovic for underestimating Morales' drive to "conquer" eastern regions.

The president draws most of his support from Bolivia's poor western highlands whereas opposition to his leftist policies is strongest in the east, home to the rich natural gas deposits, more fertile farmland and a European-descended elite.

Morales is friendly with Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro and with socialist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and many in the east fear he aims to install a communist regime.

Morales' government has locked horns with right-wing governors and lawmakers ever since his allies approved the draft constitution during an opposition boycott last year.

And although the latest talks might break the deadlock, many analysts fear the dispute will continue.

Neither side "has resolved the real problems. They are just taking a break until they regain their strength," said Kathryn Ledebur, head of the Andean Information Network, a think-tank based in Bolivia.

(Additional reporting by Helen Popper in Buenos Aires; Writing by Hilary Burke; Editing by David Storey)

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Stop US Interference in Latin America;

Respect the National Sovereignty of the Bolivian People;

Forge Anti-Imperialist International Solidarity;

Last August, the Bolivian people show significant support for Evo Morales leadership in a referendum that gave him the mandate to extend, expand, and deepen social transformations carried out by the MAS party led government. He won 67.41% of votes in 95 out of 112 provinces across the country. The opposition, centred around an oligarchy of big businessmen, landlords and multinational supporters in four departments (Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija), has been fighting for autonomy and secession, fearing the encroachment of the Morales administration's progressive projects, which seeks to transfer the profit of natural resources, particularly oil and gas, from the hands of the transnationals and oligarchy to the Bolivian people.

Bolivia is a country rich in natural resources. Although it gained formal independence from Spanish colonialism since 1825, Bolivia today - particularly its numerical majority indigenous population - is still struggling to free itself from colonial racist mentality and US imperialism. Recently, the US made another vulgar intervention through its ambassador, Philip Goldberg, who publicly supported and actively backed right-wing groups by providing funds and logistic support, as well as directing the media to lead the coup. This is similar to US subversion in Venezuela in 2002, which cooperated with the oligarchy to overthrow Chavez, but with failed results. At this moment, Bolivian opposition's right-wing groups, supported by the US, are launching violent attacks against the poor, Morales supporters; taking over and destroy public facilities; blockading the roads to disrupt distribution of goods; as well as bombing and shooting civilians in several places, such as at CEJIS office, an NGO that defends indigenous rights.

There are at least several reasons for US interference in the coup: first, the US wishes to stop Latin American integration process that will potentially create another international political bloc that would diminish US influence in the region, as well as internationally. Second, the US attempted to blockade or stop the influence of leftist governments - born out of people's rebellion against neoliberalism - particularly in hydrocarbon producing countries, such as Bolivia, Venezuela, and Ecuador to safeguard US geopolitical interest and its corporations' control over raw materials and hydrocarbon.

Bolivian people's struggle to uphold their national sovereignty and control over natural resources have never been acknowledged and respected by the imperialist states, particularly the US. They, the US and its allies, not only do this to Bolivia and Latin America, but also to other countries in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe which attempt to be self-sufficient and self-reliance. In Indonesia, the intervention of the US and its transnational power have overthrown Sukarno's progressive government in the 60s and paved the way for full capitalist exploitation of Indonesia's natural and human resources. Up until now in Indonesia, the US remains the most powerful and dominant imperialist power that have been committing economic violence in its implementation of the "Washington Consensus", which have thrown more than half of the population to the abyss of poverty, destroyed domestic industries, and doomed the workers into exploitative working condition. Therefore, the Indonesian people also find itself in the midst of the struggle against imperialist domination.

In connection with increasing US intervention in the political crisis in Bolivia and Latin America in general, we the National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS), who fights for the national liberation of Indonesia from the yoke of imperialism, declared the following:

1. to demand that the US immediately stop its intervention in destabilising Evo Morales government, - A government which was elected and given the mandate by the people of Bolivia to bring about changes in the country;

2. to demand the end of violence carried out by right-wing groups; fascists armed gangs, militias and other irregular organisations formed by the local rulers under US assistance;

3. to demand the UN to sanction and to press the US to withdraw from Bolivia and Latin America;

4. to call for the international community to strengthen its solidarity with the Bolivian people and Morales government by sending protest letters to any US representatives;

5. to support the struggle of the Bolivian people and the Morales government that strive to uphold its national sovereignty, to free itself from foreign interference and pressures that want to control Bolivia's natural resources.

To Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration:

1. To demand that the President file a protest to the US government, asking them to immediately withdraw from Bolivia and other regions in turmoil due to US interference;

2. To expel US ambassador for Indonesia as a form of solidarity for Bolivia, if the protest was not responded;

3. To start the process of expropriating US companies in Indonesia and directed them to serve the needs and welfare of the Indonesian people;

4. To forge cooperation with exploited countries in the world, as a way out from the domination of the US and its allies in international political arena.

Jakarta, September 18, 2008


Enough being a nation of coolies, rise up to be a sovereign nation!

Central Leadership Council - National Liberation Party of Unity
DPP-Papernas


Agus Jabo Priyono
Chairperson


Haris Sitorus
Secretary General


PAPERNAS
THE NATIONAL LIBERATION PARTY OF UNITY
Jln. Tebet Dalam IIG No. 1, Jakarta Selatan, 12820.Indonesia.
Phone/Fax: +62-21-8354513. Email: papernas@yahoo.com.
Blog/Website: http://papernas-international.blogspot.com/
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Signed by MPs, writers and high profile figures in a number of European countries

Dear friends and comrades,
 
Below a statement of solidarity with the people of Venezuela and Bolivia. Please feel free to use as you wish and publicise it and /or publish wherever you wish.
 
Best regards
 
Dr Francisco Dominguez
Head of Centre for Latin American Studies
Middlesex University
London, UK
 

No more Pinochets in Latin America

On the 35th anniversary of the military overthrow of Salvador Allende in Chile in 1973, which had the overt support of the United States, the presidents of Bolivia and Venezuela asked the US ambassadors accredited to their countries to leave.

They both believe they are facing the possibility of an imminent coup in which they accuse the United States’ administration of being involved. A third country, Paraguay, announced ten days previously that they had detected a conspiracy involving military officers and opposition politicians.

Latin America now faces its most serious crisis since the re-introduction of democracy at the end of the 20th century.  

The plot against democracy in Venezuela centred on a conspiracy, revealed in telephone conversations between senior military officers broadcast on national television, to assassinate the democratically elected head of state, President Chavez.

In Bolivia, the separatist governors of the five eastern regions, in close touch with the US embassy in La Paz, have begun a campaign of violence and economic sabotage designed to create the conditions for a coup.

These events demonstrate unequivocally who defends democracy and who threatens it in Latin America today.   

We are appalled by the failure of much of the international media to provide accurate and proportionate coverage of these events.

We call upon democrats throughout the world to rally to defend democracy, social progress and national independence in Latin America and to condemn these conspiracies against democracy and human rights.  

We call upon the European Union and European governments to adopt a policy independent of the Bush administration in the US and unequivocally condemn all attempts to overthrow democratically elected governments in Latin America .

Great Britain

Ken Livingstone
Richard Gott
John Pilger
Hugh O’Shaughnessy
Colin Burgon MP

Tony Benn
Diane Abbott MP
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Ian Gibson MP
Colin Challen MP
Jim Devine MP
Rob Marris MP
Michael Connarty MP
Mark  Fisher MP
David Taylor MP

Ian Davidson MP

Baroness Gibson
Chris McLaughlin, Editor Tribune


France
Bernard Cassen, Memoire del Luttes

 

Germany

Alexander Ulrich MP

Jörn Wunderlich MP

Heike Hänsel MP

Kornelia Möller MP
Elke Reinke MP
Inge Höger MP

Helmut Scholz, Die Linke

 

Portugal

Ilda Figueiredo MEP

Pedro Guerreiro MEP

 

España

Manuel Talens

Pascual Serrano
Isaac Rosa
Carlos Tena

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Original .pdf text:
http://grupoapoyo.org/basn/files/Bolivia-SEPT-15-08.pdf

Honourable David Emerson
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa ON
K1A 0A6

Dear Minister;

On behalf of the more than 3.2 million working women and men represented by the
Canadian Labour Congress, I write today to share our deep concern regarding the
current attack on democracy in Bolivia and other areas of Latin America.

Minister Emerson, we strongly encourage you to make clear to the international
community that Canada, like other nations in the Americas will not recognize
any authority in Bolivia other than the democratically-elected government of
President Evo Morales and will not tolerate outside interference supporting
secessionist factions in that beleaguered country. President Morales was
democratically elected in 2005 and the Bolivian people again endorsed his
leadership in a recent "recall referendum" which he won by a large
majority of 67%.

As I am sure you are aware, right-wing opposition groups have been conspiring
to secede from Boliviafor months using violence and racist attacks to
intimidate and terrorize the government and the majority of Bolivians that
support it in an attempt to incite civil war or a coup d'etat. The strategy is
clearly articulated by opposition leader Oscar Urenda: "We will not be
beaten, if we are talking about confrontations let's talk about confrontations,
if we are going to talk about war, let there be war, but they will not impose
anything on us. We are sufficiently strong to split off from the country, and
if I have to take a stick, a sling, a gun, I will do it..."

Last week at least eight people were killed and dozens injured in violent
protests carried out by right-wing youth groups and shock troops in conjunction
with departmental governors and other opposition leaders. These gangs carried
out a series of shootings, beatings, and ransacking of offices of the
government, human rights and indigenous organizations. Natural gas exports to
neighbouring Braziland Argentina were temporarily cut off in order to sabotage the economy.

The loss of human life was most costly in Panda where paramilitary
gangs armed with machine guns massacred more than 60 campesinos leaving more
than 100 unaccounted for (disappeared). The victims were pursued, tortured, and
murdered before the government declared a state of siege to end the rampage.
These horrendous actions have elicited a huge response of outrage from civil
society, social movements, the media and many governments from the hemisphere.

Recent events suggest there is evidence for President Morales' assertion that
the U.S. Embassy is supporting these violent, autonomy-seeking groups and
"conspiring against democracy". As I am sure you know, President
Morales has declared the USAmbassador Phillip Goldberg persona non-grata and
requested his removal from the country after documenting months of Goldberg's
meetings, exchanges, contacts and involvement with secessionist leaders.

Washington's refusal to provide information about which groups it is funding
through its AID program only adds to the suspicion and lack of trust between
the two governments and gives the impression that the U.S. is contributing to
efforts to destabilize and overthrow the Bolivian government.

These events in Boliviaare reminiscent of the US-supported overthrow of
democratically elected Chilean president Salvador Allende in Chilewho also believed he could peacefully transform the formal democratic state he inherited. Events in Bolivia and rumors of coup d'etat being planned in Venezuela and against the fledgling government of Fernando Lugo in Paraguay is leading many to feel that Latin America now faces its most serious crisis since the re-introduction of democratic practice at the end of the last century.

Minister Emerson, Canadamust support the Bolivian people's right to be
governed by a democratically-elected government. Canadamust offer support to the government of President Morales, directly and through the Organization of American States to promote a dialogue and keep open legal and democratic channels for resolving differences and conflict.

We cannot allow our hemisphere to succumb to past practices of military intervention and return to the dark days when the Pinochets' of this world were in power.

Many governments in the hemisphere have made their views known on crisis. The
current federal election should not stop Canadafrom expressing its views at the critical moment in our hemisphere. I look forward to seeing clear and concrete measures taken by Canadato help resolve this crisis of democracy in Boliviaand to prevent its escalation both inside Boliviaand to other countries in the region.

Sincerely,

Kenneth V. Georgetti
(President - Canadian Labour Congress)

cc. Officers and Assistants
Executive Committee
Embassy of Bolivia in Ottawa
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http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/Santiago de Chile, September 15 2008The heads of state and the government of Unasur, meeting in the Palaceof the Moneda, Santiago de Chile, September 15 2008, with the purposeof considering the situation in the Republic of Bolivia andremembering the tragic episodes 35 years ago in this very place thatshocked all humanity:Considering the the constitutive treaty of Unasur, signed in Brasiliaon May 23rd 2008, enshrines the principles of unrestricted respect forsovereignty, of the non-interference in internal affairs, of theintegrity and inviolbility of territory, of democracy and itsinstitutions and the unrestricted respect of human rights;Faced with the grave occurances reported in the sister Republic ofBolivia, and in favour of the strengthening of political dialogue andcooperation for the strengthening of citizen's security, the countriesthat make up Unasur express:1. Their fullest and decided support for the constitutional governmentof President Evo Morales, whose mandate was ratified by a wide marginin the recent referendum.2. They warn that its respective governments energetically reject anddo not recognize any situation that implies an intent of civil coupd'etat, the rupture of institutional order, or that compromises theterritorial integrity of the Republic of Bolivia3. Consequent to the above, and in consideration of the gravesituation that affects the sister Republic of Bolivia, they condemnthe attack on government installations and public forces by groupsthat look for the destabilization of Bolivia's democracy, and demandthe prompt return of those installations as condition for the start ofthe dialogue process.4. At the same time, they call for all political and social actorsinvolved to take the necessary measures so that acts of violence,intimidation, attacks on the democratic institutionality andestabished judicial order cease immediately.5. In this context, they express the firmest condemnation of themassacre that took place in the department of Pando, and support thecall made by the Bolivian government for a Unasur commission to be setup in this brother country to impartially investigate and report thislamentable occurance as soon as possible, and to formulaterecommendations in such a way that it is not left unpunished.6. They ask all members of Bolivian society to preserve national unityand the territorial integrity of that country, basic fundamentals ofany State, and to reject any intent to undermine those principles.7. They call for dialogue to establish the conditions that will permitthe present situation to be overcome, and create the search for asustainable solution, under full respect of the state of curfew andthe current legal order.8. In this respect, the Presidents of Unasur agree to create acommission open to all members, coordinated by the Pro-temporePresidency, to accompany the tasks of the the dialogues conducted bythe legitimate government of Bolivia9. They will create a support and assistance commission to thegovernment of Bolivia, in function to its requirements and includingspecialist human resources.Translated by Inca Kola News

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world federation of trade unions

Action now
Solidarity Campaign with Bolivia
1-10 October 2008

The World Federation of Trade Unions calls on the world working class, the unions, the progressive organizations to express immediate, effective and strong solidarity with the people of
Bolivia who is fighting for the present and future.

The people of
Bolivia through democratic elections voted and elected for the position of country’s President the indigenous Evo Morales. It was a great victory, which came as a result of many years of struggle and efforts.

This year on August 10th, President Evo Morales was subjected to a recall referendum. The result was a firm 67% support of the people of Bolivia.

 

The new President of the country took important decisions such as:

 

- Nationalization of mines
- Sharing of land to poor farmers
- Combating illiteracy
- Building 25 new Hospitals
- 1.600 Cuban doctors are working in Bolivia free
- Increased resources for the health of poor people
- Equal participation of indigenous people in country’s social life since the 55% of Bolivia’s population belongs to ethnic groups of Quechua and Aymara.
- Close cooperation with
Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina and all Latin America.

 

The result of this consistent attitude of the President of Bolivia are the slanderous, dirty and illegal attacks of U.S. government against Bolivia. U.S. institutions in Bolivia are trying to break the country into little pieces and aim to gain control over the richest areas in natural gas and mineral resources, terrorizing and murdering the natives. The imperialists are trying to re-apply the fascist scenarios implemented in 1973 in Chile, at the expense of the democratic movement in the country this time.

 

The U.S. Embassy in Bolivia is the center to organize and coordinate these attacks. European Union countries are in line with U.S. policy. A few days ago the restoration of the 4th U.S. fleet was announced with the responsibility of central South America and the Caribbean. Head of the fleet was set the subadmiral Nt.Kernan who declared that "the reinvention of the 4th Fleet will send a message throughout the whole region and not only in Venezuela."

 

This is the real picture!

Colleagues

are we going to leave the
U.S. and its allies to bloodshed Bolivia? They will be allowed to dismantle the country? Are we going to leave them do the same that happened in Chile 35 years ago; NO!

The General Confederation of Bolivian Workers (COB) member of the WFTU, is struggling and organizing the popular resistance together with all the popular forces. Let us support this fight. Let us now immediately express our internationalist solidarity.

 

We demand:

- To immediately stop all imperialist interference
- Respect the right of the people of
Bolivia to decide alone on the present and the future.
- Support the policy of Evo Morales.

The Secretariat

Colleagues

Now we need action.

Send your messages
- Presidency in Bolivia - Evo Morales   (
despacho@presidencia.gov.bo)
- COB Bolivia (General Workers Union Bolivia) (cciramiro@hotmail.com)
- ILO Office Director-General Mr. Juan Somavia   (cabinet@ilo.org)
- UN Secretary-General Office (
Fax: 1 (212) 963 4879)
- European Commission (oib-info@ec.europa.eu)
- Organizations Bolivia
- Embassies in Bolivia
- U.S. Embassies
- International press - media
- The WFTU (info@wftucentral.org)
- To member organizations where you judge yourself

ACTION  NOW!

 

 

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