Bolivians vote on Indian rights

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Bolivians are voting in a referendum on a new constitution that President Evo Morales says will empower the country's indigenous majority.

The changes also include strengthening state control of Bolivia's natural resources, and no longer recognising Catholicism as the official religion.

The constitution is widely expected to be approved.

Mr Morales, an Aymara Indian, has pursued political reform but has met fierce resistance from some sectors.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7849666.stm

[LeftishBrit]

1. Sounds encouraging - hope igoes through!

[Peace Patriot]

2. The Bushwhacks instigated a white separatist insurrection in Bolivia in September.

They wanted to split off Bolivia's gas and oil rich eastern provinces (where rich white landowners prevail) into a fascist mini-state in control of Bolivia's main resources. They were being funded and organized right out of the U.S. embassy. They rioted, sacked and destroyed government and NGO buildings, beat up Morales supporters, blew up a gas pipeline and machine-gunned some thirty unarmed peasants. At that point, Morales through the U.S. ambassador and the DEA (also colluding with the fascists) out of the country, and South American's new 'common market'--UNASUR--intervened, brokered a peace with the saner elements of the minority rightwing opposition, and set up a commission to investigate the murders. It was a great and unanimous show of South American strength against U.S. interference, and a good omen for the future.

This vote on a new Constitution is part of that peace process. Bolivia has a long, nasty history of white enslavement of the majority indigenous. The new Constitution establishes indigenous civil and human rights--and the equality of every citizen--as the law of the land. They did not, however, include equal rights for women and gays, as Ecuador recently did (passed with nearly 70% of the votes), probably because they already had enough trouble with the Catholic Church, which is being edited out of the Bolivian Constitution (--like ours, it will be secular--not permit a state religion), and also possibly because inclusion of women/gay equality likely sank a package 69 badly needed amendments to the Venezuelan Constitution, back in Dec '07. That was a very close vote (50.9% vs 49.3%). Venezuela has a particularly rightwing and political Catholic clergy. Not sure if Bolivia does, but I suspect so, since they didn't include it. And I'm sure Morales would have liked to. He is as progressive as they come--campaigned with a wreath of coca leaves around his neck, sacred plant of the indigenous; opposes the U.S. "war on drugs"--that farce--but also opposes cocaine traffic, drug lords and crime (but, like many of the new Latin American leaders, does not believe in militaristic solutions, and sees poverty alleviation as the main strength against criminal drug activity).

Morales is the "Martin Luther King" of South America. The Bushwhacks hate him, and tried to topple his government with violence and vast bribery (our tax dollars at work) aimed at willing fascists. And I'm not sure that Hillary Clinton and other DLC/corpo Obama appointees will be much better than Bushwhacks on this and other leftist democracy issues in South America. I'm pretty sure that Obama wants peace, but he could be dragged into his own "Bay of Pigs" in South America (as the CIA tried to do to JFK). Venezuela would be the likely main target, also Ecuador is on the list, and a renewed effort to topple Morales, a strong Chavez ally, could also occur. I have the feeling that Bolivia was the test run of a civil war/secessionist strategy--a strategy identified by Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador about a year ago. He named these three targets--his own country (lots of oil, member of OPEC), Venezuela (ditto) and Bolivia, and said it was a coordinated strategy (--the fascists in these countries have all met with the Bushwhacks and are working together). The Bolivia coup failed, by dint of Morales' popularity, and unified UNASUR action. But Venezuela and Ecuador--which also have very popular leaders--are bigger oil prizes, are more vulnerable in some ways (especially Venezuela).

Venezuela has a one-issue referendum coming up in mid-February, on terms limits for president and other elected officials. If the voters lift the term limits, Chavez will be able to run again in 2012 for a third term, which he would more than likely win. Those planning more violence and attempted resource grabs (and I strongly suspect that Donald Rumsfeld is involved in this) are likely strategizing around this issue. If Chavez is a lameduck in 2011-2012, their civil war plan (splitting off the northern, oil rich province of Zulia, Venezuela, on the Caribbean--the primary target) would be easier in that time period. If the referendum succeeds, they may try it sooner, before Chavez gets re-elected. If the insurrection goes well, they may try to rope Ecuador's northern oil province at the same time. Venezuela and Ecuador both border Colombia (to the north and south, respectively), where the Bushwhacks have a ready supply of military forces--Colombian military, rightwing paramilitary death squads, Blackwater, U.S. military--all paid for by you and me ($6 BILLION in U.S./Bushwhack military aid to the fascist narco-traffickers running Colombia)--and eager to jump over the border and slay leftists.

This week, Chavez renewed friendly relations with Colombia, with a rash of new joint economic initiatives between his government and the Uribe government. Smart man, Chavez. Only fools underestimate him. He is hugely popular throughout the region, and has numerous strong and friendly allies in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, and soon in El Salvador (upcoming election, leftist way ahead); also, to some extent in Chile (on some issues). Obama would be smart to foil hostile activity or war plans against Chavez, not only because these criminal interferences are wrong, but also because it would be a disaster for him, his administration and the U.S. The South Americans can take care of themselves, from what I've seen. And they have no reason to want "U.S. leadership," as Obama asserts. It has been toxic in the past. They have their own leadership and ideas now, and are moving in a very positive direction.

[scarletwoman]

5. What a marvelous, educational post! Thank you so much for taking the time & effort to spell

it all out so clearly and succinctly. Brava!

I do fear that Obama is going to continue the same anti-leftist, pro-corporate/fascist policies toward Latin America that have characterized our Foreign Policy Establishment since the Monroe Doctrine. I don't see any "change" happening on that front. :(

sw

[EFerrari]

12. But he's a fast learner. Other presidents have come in with the same limited information

and gotten up to speed. I'm hoping he will as well.

[enid602]

3. constitution

This really is a big step forward for indigenous South Americans. I live in Buenos Aires, and heard on the news this AM that the new constitution has been approved. Unfortunately, the new constitution also allows the President to keep running for reelection. Very sad. Chavez has a special referendum set for 2/15 in Venezuela to do the same.

[ronnie624]

7. Can you explain why you find reelection "very sad"? n/t

[Judi Lynn]

9. That's the way it was originally, constitutionally, in the U.S. until the right wing overthrew

the original arrangement when America's beloved, and very successful, very productive, progressive FDR died in office in his four term.

The right-wing wanted to make certain a populist who helped the people never got a good long run here again, regardless of what the voters wanted.

Easy to see where you're "coming from."

[enid602]

16. caramelos

I live in Bs As, and here it´s called ´caramelos´(candy). You put all sorts of progressive and populists measures into a bill, and then say, oh by the way, our leader will have the right to be President for life. And he will. When the leader grows older, staying the leader becomes more important than progressivism and populism. The cult of personality is still very much alive here in Latin America.

[Judi Lynn]

17. The only people I see tossing that term around in the last few years are wingers.

They use it feverishly, obsessively, and constantly on message boards, as if the term has only recently been created. Hree's a quick definition for quick reference:

A cult of personality or personality cult arises when a country's leader uses mass media to create a heroic public image through unquestioning flattery and praise. Cults of personality are often found in dictatorships.

A cult of personality is similar to general hero worship, except that it is created specifically for political leaders. However, the term may be applied by analogy to refer to adulation of religious or non-political leaders.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_personality

That just wouldn't apply to any leftist Latin American leader as the oligarchy has always controlled the media in Latin America. In Chile, Richard Nixon poured millions and millions of US taxpayer dollars into operating El Mercurio, owned by Augustin Edwards, even placing CIA people down there in its payroll, then controlling messages regarding Salvador Allende until he could be completely discredited, destabilized through Nixon/CIA efforts to "make the economy scream," then used to bolster, promote the public image of the monstrous, murderous tyrant he put in his place, Augusto Pinochet, and continued to pour money into the publication for years, working to promote Pinochet's image as they installed the new economic system.

That's not the case in Venezuela, as most sober DU'ers know, since almost all the media are privately owned, and virulently anti-Chavez around the clock, every day, no exception, not ever.

[bitchkitty]

4. Hope - I love Evo Morales.

I love seeing him speak too - he's got the courage of his convictions and it shows in his face.

Sometimes, cynical, hard-bitten old broad that I am, I have hope for the world. Morales and others like him bolster that feeling.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. heh - and on democratic socialism too

plus the left just won the elections in el Salvador. Democratic Socialism is alive and well in latin america.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Hi dipsydoodle. Here's an update: Exit polls: Bolivians approve new constitution

Exit polls: Bolivians approve new constitution
13 minutes ago

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Exit polls show Bolivian voters backing President Evo Morales' proposed constitution granting greater power to the country's indigenous majority.

Surveys conducted by two Bolivian television stations put support for the new charter at 60 percent or slightly higher.

An unofficial quick count of actual votes conducted by a private polling firm shows the new constitution winning by 50.5 percent to 49.5 percent, with just over 60 percent of votes counted. But ballots from heavily pro-Morales rural areas had yet to be counted.

Early returns from Sunday's referendum also show that a wide margin of voters favor placing a limit on landownership at 5,000 hectares (12,400 acres), rather than 10,000 hectares 24,700 acres.

More:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h3QHuX_ow0-OQPGXFDavvh0So-SgD95UEN1O0

Nice screenname. Easy to remember, former edwardlindy! :hi:

[struggle4progress]

10. Bolivia's new constitution seen winning approval (Reuters)

Published: January 25, 2009

By Carlos Quiroga and Terry Wade

Bolivians approved a new constitution that would allow leftist President Evo Morales to run for re-election, according to two exit polls, although a separate quick count showed a close vote.

Two television stations said their exit polls showed the constitution was approved with around 60 percent of the vote on Sunday. The pollster who conducted the quick count for ATB television said it showed a much closer vote but that Morales was still likely to win ...

Support was highest in the western highlands where Indians are a majority, while many mixed-race people in the fertile eastern lowlands rejected the charter. Four of nine provinces rejected the charter, according to the exit polls ...

http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2009/01/25/america/OUKWD-UK-BOLIVIA-MORALES.php

[EFerrari]

11. Andale! K&R

[Judi Lynn]

13. Bolivia constitution is set to pass

Bolivia constitution is set to pass

http://www.latimes.com.nyud.net:8090/media/photo/2009-01/44702703.jpg

MARTIN ALIPAZ, EPA
Crowds gather in the capital, La Paz, to celebrate after early returns
showed the new constitution passing. Observers expect President Evo
Morales to dissolve Congress and call for early elections.

Exit polls show voters backing changes that give more rights to indigenous groups and let President Evo Morales seek another consecutive term.
By Chris Kraul
January 26, 2009

Reporting from La Paz, Bolivia -- Voters appeared to have handed Bolivian President Evo Morales a resounding victory Sunday, with exit polls showing they had approved a new constitution that will advance indigenous rights, strengthen state control over natural resources and permit him to seek another term.

Morales addressed a cheering crowd in the plaza before the presidential palace here Sunday night to claim victory and declare that "Bolivia has been re-founded" and that "neoliberalism has been defeated."

According to exit polls by two television stations and a political consulting firm, at least 56% of voters approved the 411-article constitution. The final count of votes is not expected for several days.

~snip~
"This is a great day because we never counted before and now we will," said law student Jenny Marca as she stood in the compound of Abel Iturralde School with her mother, who was dressed in traditional derby hat, shawl and hooped skirt.

Civil engineer Luciana Vargas, also of El Alto, said the previous constitution had to be changed because it favored the rich "just like all our previous presidents favored them."

More:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-bolivia26-2009jan26,0,6365181.story

[Judi Lynn]

14. Bolivians approve new constitution

Posted on Sunday, 01.25.09
Bolivians approve new constitution

BY TYLER BRIDGES
McClatchy News Service

LA PAZ, Bolivia -- President Evo Morales took a major step toward creating a socialist state that empowers the indigenous majority when 60 percent of Bolivians approved a new constitution on Sunday, according to television exit poll results.

The new charter also allows Morales to seek re-election to a five-year term in December.

The country's first self-identified indigenous president, Morales begins the race as the heavy favorite to remain in power until 2014.

Vice President Alvaro Garcia said Sunday's victory marked a watershed because it essentially would end the sometimes violent debates that have wracked this politically turbulent country since 2000.

''There will still be conflict and tension,'' Garcia told McClatchy in an exclusive interview Sunday afternoon in the Gold Salon at the presidential palace. ``But from here on out, this country will be governed by three principles: equality, autonomy and a strong state presence in the economy. From here on out, we will only debate these principles on the margin.''

Morales had sought the new constitution even before he became president three years ago, as part of his plan to carry out a social revolution in power.

As president, Morales has ''nationalized'' foreign companies by sharply raising their taxes and used the windfall to establish pensions for the elderly and sharply increase state spending on public works.

~snip~
Light-skinned Bolivians have held political and economic power for generations in a country where 60 percent of the population -- nearly all of them indigenous -- live on $2 per day or less.

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/872148.html

[dipsydoodle]

15. "the colonial state ends here"

Yes indeed ! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7849666.stm

:hi:

[Judi Lynn]

18. Voters back new constitution:Charter offers power for indigenous Indian majority, consecutive term

Voters back new constitution
Charter offers power for indigenous Indian majority, consecutive term for president
By DAN KEANE The Associated Press
January 26, 2009 - 12:00 am

Bolivian voters embraced a new constitution yesterday that promises more power for the long-suffering indigenous majority and grants leftist President Evo Morales a shot at remaining in office through 2014.

The charter passed easily in a country where many can still recall when Indians were forbidden to vote. But its sometimes vague wording and resistance from Bolivia's mestizo and European-descended minority foreshadows more political turmoil in a nation polarized by race and class.

"Brothers and sisters, the colonial state ends here," President Evo Morales told a huge crowd in front of the presidential palace after the results of yesterday's referendum were announced. "Here we begin to reach true equality for all Bolivians."

The constitution - the central reform of Morales's three-year-old administration - won by a 59 percent to 41 percent margin, according to an unofficial quick count with a 3 percentage point margin of error. A final official tally will be announced in 10 days.

Morales, an Aymara Indian and Bolivia's first indigenous president, has said the charter will "decolonize" South America's poorest country by recovering indigenous values lost under centuries of oppression dating back to the Spanish conquest.

Bolivia's Aymara, Quechua, Guarani and dozens of other indigenous groups only won the right to vote in 1952, when a revolution broke up the large haciendas on which they had lived as peons for generations.

More:
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090126/NEWS03/901260312/1013/NEWS03

[Judi Lynn]

19. Bolivia Looking Forward: New Constitution Passed, Celebrations Hit the Streets

Bolivia Looking Forward: New Constitution Passed, Celebrations Hit the Streets
January 27, 2009 By Ben Dangl

After Bolivia's new constitution was passed in a national referendum on Sunday, thousands gathered in La Paz to celebrate. Standing on the balcony of the presidential palace, President Evo Morales addressed a raucous crowd: "Here begins a new Bolivia. Here we begin to reach true equality."

Polls conducted by Televisión Boliviana announced that the document passed with 61.97% support from some 3.8 million voters. According the poll, 36.52% of voters voted against the constitution, and 1.51% cast blank and null votes. The departments where the constitution passed included La Paz, Cochabamba, Oruro, Potosí, Tarija, and Pando. It was rejected in Santa Cruz, Beni, and Chuquisaca.

The constitution, which was written in a constituent assembly that first convened in August of 2006, grants unprecedented rights to Bolivia's indigenous majority, establishes broader access to basic services, education and healthcare and expands the role of the state in the management of natural resources and the economy.

When the news spread throughout La Paz that the constitution had been passed in the referendum, fireworks, cheers and horns sounded off sporadically. By 8:30, thousands had already gathered in the Plaza Murillo. The crowd cheered "Evo! Evo! Evo!" until Morales, Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera and other leading figures in the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) government, crowded out onto the balcony of the presidential palace.

"I would like to take this opportunity to recognize all of the brothers and sisters of Bolivia, all of the compañeros and compañeras, all of the citizens that through their vote, through their democratic participation, decide to refound Bolivia," Morales said. "From 2005 to 2009 we have gone from triumph to triumph, while the neoliberals, the traitors have been constantly broken down thanks to the consciousness of the Bolivian people."

He shook his fist in the air, the applause died down. "And I want you to know something, the colonial state ends here. Internal colonialism and external colonialism ends here. Sisters and brothers, neoliberalism ends here too."

More:
http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/20375