Morales Accuses U.S. of Intimidation

[cal04]

President Evo Morales on Monday accused the U.S. government of trying to intimidate Bolivia by announcing it would cut some aid because of a disagreement over the appointment of a military commander. Bolivia's armed forces received a letter from U.S. officials saying the United States was cutting about half a million dollars in funding for Bolivia's anti-terrorist unit, Morales said in a speech.

``We cannot accept threats and intimidation of our armed forces,'' Morales said. ``It's not possible that external forces come to change commanders and ministers.'' Morales, who took office Jan. 22, called the U.S. aid ``crumbs'' used to ``control Bolivia, to have intelligence agents.''

The U.S. Embassy declined to comment and the specific nature of the U.S. objection to the commander wasn't immediately clear. The Bolivian government released the letter sent March 3 by U.S. Army Col. Daniel Barreto, but it did not identify the commander in question. ``Due to a recent change in the unit commander ... the U.S. armed forces feel that our armies no longer share the same vision, making it necessary the de-certification of the Anti-Terrorist Force,'' Barreto wrote.

Morales, who was swept to power on a leftist platform and has long railed against American economic and drug policies, claimed during his campaign to be ``the nightmare of the U.S. government.'' He has since toned down his rhetoric and met with U.S. Ambassador David Greenlee to discuss bilateral issues. U.S. aid to Bolivia is roughly $150 million annually, the majority of which goes toward anti-drug efforts.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5667664,00.html

[Warpy]

1. The only good thing about being bogged down in Iraq

and watching the treasury be looted by the rich and the military is that we no longer have the means to destroy democratically elected governments in our own hemisphere.

It's nice to know stupidity and human misery in one area are producing some good in another.

I wish Morales the best of luck. He's already outlived most governments in Bolivia.

[mom cat]

4. I feel the same way, but it is a sad comentary that relative peace in our

hemisphere comes at the expence of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

[IndianaGreen]

6. Sad, but it is better that our armies are bogged down in Iraq and

in the coming Iran war, than have them murder tens of thousands more elsewhere.

Bush's inability to admit he made a mistake, and the Democrats unwillingness to call for an end to the war, will bring about the defeat of Bush's crusading armies. Let's hope that the troops that survive this useless and unnecessary war will think twice before committing themselves to combat again.

[madrchsod]

2. our government is run by what can best be summed up as

shit caked assholes....well that`s a bit over the top but true

[cantstandbush]

3. Speak up for your nations and governments or become a pawn of the US.

I am happy to see that S. American leaders are taking back their countries. Only wish we could take back ours.

[CHIMO]

5. How Global Institutions Affect Country Budgets and How Citizens Can Make a

As long-time readers of The Democracy Center's work know, we are involved in much more than just writing about events in Bolivia. Our work stretches globally and, occasionally, into realms that some readers will think are a bit "wonky", i.e. the deeper realms of public policy.

In that spirit I invite readers who are interested to read a new report written by The Democracy Center and published by our partners at the International Budget Project. It is titled: Invisible Hands – Tracing the Connections Between the Policies of International Financial Institutions and Country Budget Policies.

Don’t be put off by the rather 'wonky" title. The report is based on a meeting we helped put together in Washington last year, bringing together people from all over the world from two kinds of work. Some focus on making their countries' budget policies more open and accountable, and especially more aimed at lifting up the poor. Other groups that came work on holding international financial institutions – like the World Bank and IMF – more accountable.

Don’t mistake this work as boring technical detail. If the IMF tells a poor country to reduce its budget deficit, even if that means on the backs of the poor, that affects real people's lives. And that is why it is so important that citizens get involved in these issues – of both budgets and IFIs – to make sure that the public is served.

http://democracyctr.org/blog/index.htm

[Sadie5]

7. A bill was introduced

I think to not give Bush anymore war money, only money to bring troops home. Caught the tail end of it on C-SPAN.

[Mika]

8. He's sounding more & more like Castro and Chavez...

and, like Castro, next thing you know he'll be forcing health care and education on Bolivians. :evilgrin:

[fshrink]

9. This is not an accusation. It is a fact.

The use of the word "accuse" communicates a set of meanings under the surface content i.e Morales is aggressive and what he says is unproven. Morales might be aggressive but what he says is not unproven. These are modern propaganda methods.

[bemildred]

10. Bolivian President Refuses US Demand to Return Arms

Bolivian President Evo Morales says he will not agree to a U.S. request to return weapons and equipment in an ongoing disagreement over the naming of a new commander for Bolivia's counterterrorism unit.

Mr. Morales responded Tuesday to a written request by the U.S. Embassy that objected to the new unit commander. Mr. Morales has called the U.S. request blackmail.

U.S. officials have confirmed that Washington will cancel its counterterrorism programs in Bolivia after its decision last week to drop the country from its list of anti-terrorism partners.

I don't know if I could stand the disgrace of being kicked out of the anti-terrorism partners.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-03-08-voa20.cfm

[Judi Lynn]

11. The very idea Bush would DARE horn in on Evo Morales's military

appointments is so far out of line.

I surely doubt _Bush would try that with a European leader.

I hope to see _Bush reap what he has sown during his political career. It should be wildly worth the wait.

[bemildred]

12. It's a good way to pick a fight, which is why the Bushites are doing it.nt