Reply #5: The Bush junta reprisals against Bolivia started immediately upon the

[Peace Patriot]

election of Bolivia's first indigenous president--one of the leaders of the grass roots revolt against Bechtel, which had privatized the water in the Bolivian city of Cochabamba and jacked up the prices to the poor, even charging peasants for collecting RAINWATER. Bolivia threw Bechtel out the country and elected Evo Morales.

Get this--from Prensa Latina, 3/8/06: (the translation is a little shaky, but the gist of it is clear...NOTE THE CITY!)

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7B349C9A4D-3768-4262-B743-06618741E0B4%7D)&language=EN

"La Paz, Mar 8 (Prensa Latina) Bolivia’s Armed Forces stated that an anti-terrorist unit from which the United States withdrew support will continue operating with its own resources.

"Colonel Ernest Aguirre, spokesman of the Armed Forces military high command, said Tuesday the Joint Counter-terrorist Force will continue working for the aims of its creation.

"Aguirre also announced that the US embassy here will withdraw this week the Cochabamba unit´s armament and equipment, due to the recent substitution of its Washington-backed chief.

"Soldiers, he said, are ready to fulfill any order by President Evo Morales and the military top command, which on Tuesday had informed of the decision to not deliver any armament or other resources to the United States.

"The president (Morales) termed the US reprisal as blackmail and unacceptable intimidation for a disadvantaged but honorable country, and said his government will defend national sovereignty and dignity."

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(...less than two weeks ago!)