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Bolivia Offers Cautionary Tale for FTAA Negotiators

By Adam Saytanides

South American leaders participating in November talks on the Free Trade Area of the Americas should look to recent events in Bolivia as a cautionary tale. After six weeks of massive protests calling for his ouster, Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada fled to Miami on October 17. Vice President and ex TV-journalist Carlos Mesa took over the presidency, but… return to article

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    I agree with the argument made in this article, but there are a few points, which I find misleading.

    First, if elections were held in Bolivia today, recent polls suggest that former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga of the Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN) would win the elections, not Morales. In a recent poll Quiroga received 20 percent of voter preference over Morales’ 16 percent, a significant margin when no other potential candidate received even 10 percent.

    On a personal note: I get somewhat annoyed by the hype around Moralesí role in the insurrection while other leaders ó Aymara leader Quispe, Union leader Solares and El Alto labor leader de la Cruz to name a few ó go unnoticed in most accounts. In many respects these leaders were far more instrumental and radical than Morales during the mass mobilizations. Solares, for example, called for El Gringo’s resignation long before Morales.

    Finally, in Saytanidesí consideration of the growing tide of leftist leaders in Latin America I believe the assertion that Kirchner displays “open defiance to U.S. foreign and economic policy” to a lesser degree than Lula or Ch·vez is rather debatable. Kirchner in some ways has shown more of a backbone than Lula in dealings with the IFIs. Both countriesí recent IMF deals are clear examples. Lula was widely criticized for the agreement in Brazil while Argentina applauded Kirchner. And in many ways Kirchner has shown a more left agenda than Lula. In issues regarding judicial reform, police impunity and human rights, for instance. So far, in trade talks Brazil leads the charge but with Argentinaís full ó and necessary ó support.

    However, Saytanidesí general point of leaders needing to heed the Bolivian insurrection in lieu of the coming FTAA meetings is right on point and made forcefully.

    United States Posted by Teo BallvÈ on Nov 16, 2003 at 4:34 PM

    Fiery words from Bolivia.  Something’s cooking…

    United States Posted by Joseph on Nov 17, 2003 at 10:10 AM

    It is long past time when countries in the same boat as Bolivia started to take back what belongs to them. More and more power to them.  Long has America raped the world and in having had the indecency to rape, has not bothered to at least pull down the skirts of the raped.  America has long been noted as having never in its greed, given anything back to the victims it has raped.....now is the time for countries like Bolivia, with natural resources to fight and to fight to win. 

    Thank you.

    Frances Greenfield

    Canada Posted by Frances Greenfield on Nov 17, 2003 at 10:36 AM

    What happened in Bolivia exemplifies to what extent the voice of the people can be the most efficient tool in applying pressure on the powers that be to demand justice and radical changes in the status quo. It is to the credit of individuals like Evo Morales and the MAS party that Bolivians have been able to express their indignation and frustrations through sheer willpower and determination against the greed and despotism of the ruling capitalist few. Long live the people of Bolivia!

    United States Posted by F. Acosta on Nov 19, 2003 at 9:01 AM
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