Morales Puts Military on Alert after US Meddling

[magbana]

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/index.html

GRANMA
February 12, 2008

Evo Morales Puts Military on Alert of US Meddling

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia, February 11.— President Evo Morales called Monday on
the Bolivian Armed Forces to remain alert to confront internal and external
enemies, after the disclosure of new cases of US meddling in the Andean
nation, reported Prensa Latina.

The president highlighted the commitment of the military with the process of
democratic changes taking place in the country, which requires that the
soldiers receive further education.

During the opening of the school year at the Sergeants School of Cochabamba,
Morales rejected any effort to undermine unity and the nation’s prestige.

Morales ratified his confidence in the military to defend the constitution
and the integrity of Bolivian territory.

As a result of the recently revealed espionage plot organized by the US
Embassy in Bolivia, Morales declared US embassy security officer Vincent
Cooper as a “persona non grata.”

Evo Morales explained that Cooper violated Bolivia’s legal norms by asking
US students and Peace Corps workers to spy on Cuban and Venezuelan
collaborators in Bolivia.

Both the US Embassy and the State Department officially admitted to the
espionage campaign for which Ambassador Philip Goldberg should be held
responsible.

The US Embassy will also need to explain its financial support for the
Police Policy Studies Council, a parallel intelligence service dedicated to
inciting destabilization campaigns.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Vincent Cooper may be the one who gets sent home but the responsibility lies at the feet

of _Bush's ambassador Philip Goldberg, and screw him.

http://www.lostiempos.com.nyud.net:8090/noticias/14-03-07/fotos/goldberg.jpg

If you don't think the _Bush administration won't try to make trouble for the young Fulbright Scholar, you are mad as a hatter. He was supposed to keep his mouth shut and spy on the Venezuelans and Cubans while living in Bolivia.

They would have probably gotten around to telling him to include leftist, or indigenous Bolivians, as well, when time presented itself.

I'm GLAD the kid talked, and I hope there are enough strong people around the country to look after his interests in the future, as he's going to need allies.

[EFerrari]

2. Good for President Morales.

It's embarrassing to have these idiots representing us anywhere.

[EFerrari]

3. US Diplomat Charged With Spying In Bolivi

US Diplomat Charged With Spying In Bolivia
FEB 15

(RTTNews) - Bolivian government officials have files criminal charges of espionage against a U.S. embassy official, accused of asking an American student and Peace Corps volunteers, to keep tabs on Venezuela and Cuban workers in the country.

Vice Minister of Government Ruben Gamarra, who filed the charges this week, said Thursday that Bolivia may ask the Washington administration to provide a statement from the embassy security official, Vincent Cooper.

In a related development, the Bolivian Senate on Thursday said it would form a committee to investigate the charges against Cooper. The charges carry a sentence of 30 years in prison without parole. However, it was not clear whether diplomatic immunity would protect Cooper under Bolivian and international law.

Vincent Cooper was alleged to have instructed a US Fulbright scholar and several Peace Corps volunteers to pass on information about any Venezuelans or Cubans they may meet in Bolivia.

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080215%5cACQRTT200802150351RTTRADERUSEQUITY_0146.htm&