Bolivia's Morales rejects opposition autonomy proposal, talks on hold

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua

Bolivia's Morales rejects opposition autonomy proposal, talks on hold

www.chinaview.cn 2008-09-26 12:32:36

LIMA, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Bolivian President Evo Morales on Thursday rejected a proposal from opposition governors to give full autonomy to their provinces while talks aimed at aimed at ending the political crisis in the country were postponed to next week.

Morales accusing his opponents of seeking de facto independence. "A full autonomy over any region is de facto independence," Morales told reporters in the city of Cochabamba in central Bolivia.

He also accused the opposition of disguising their "separatist intention" with their autonomy proposal.

"Those pro-coup people would not get the national and international support," the president said.

The talks, under monitorship of the Organization of American States and the United Nations, will resume on Monday, Rural Development Minister Carlos Romero.




Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/26/content_10114968.htm

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[Judi Lynn]

1. Unasur commission to investigate killings of Bolivian peasants

Thursday, September 25, 2008
Unasur commission to investigate killings of Bolivian peasants

Presidents and representatives from the Union of South American Nations, Unasur agreed on the creation of a committee to investigate recent peasant massacres in the Bolivian province of Pando.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet who holds the temporary chair of Unasur said an informal meeting was held in New York taking advantage of the presence of many South American presidents at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.

The special investigation committee will be named next Monday and will be headed by the Argentine expert in human rights Rodolfo Matarolo.

“We are advancing and will continue working in support of democracy in Bolivia”, said Bachelet.

Allegedly at least 16 peasants were killed by a hit gang during the recent political turmoil in Bolivia. The governor of Pando has been formally accused of having masterminded the killings and is currently under arrest waiting to be prosecuted.

More:
http://www.mercopress.com/vernoticia.do?id=14660&formato=HTML

[David__77]

2. Why did they agree to UN mediation?

I don't understand that. UN involvement can lead to no good. I understand the cost of not involving it, but I would think that only regional group excluding countries seeking domination should be involved, which would also disallow OAS involvement. Bolivia is a sovereign state and can conduct its own affairs.

[EFerrari]

3. I'm still trying to read but my guess is, the more witnesses the better.

Witnesses in any form, in any venue.

I hope Morales is getting the support he needs right now.

:shrug:

[David__77]

4. It's a delicate balancing act I guess.

My gut says he needs to arm the poor as soon as possible, purge the military and consolidate control over the state - and, after these steps, mercilessly crush the racists and right-wingers. Whatever he does, I hope he doesn't take the conciliatory path of Allende, path of the graveyard.

[EFerrari]

5. Have you seen this, David?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=405x8187

[David__77]

6. He's trying some sort of centrist strategy.

But the problem is that the mass base of the left will become apathetic and alienated if it is not actually empowered. If the right runs riot and kills and smashes and destroys and the state fails to curb the violence, then it will have little moral claim on power.