In Bolivia, Untapped Bounty Meets Nationalism

[Elidor]

In the rush to build the next generation of hybrid or electric cars, a sobering fact confronts both automakers and governments seeking to lower their reliance on foreign oil: almost half of the world’s lithium, the mineral needed to power the vehicles, is found here in Bolivia — a country that may not be willing to surrender it so easily.

Japanese and European companies are busily trying to strike deals to tap the resource, but a nationalist sentiment about the lithium is building quickly in the government of President Evo Morales, an ardent critic of the United States who has already nationalized Bolivia’s oil and natural gas industries.

...

The new Constitution that Mr. Morales managed to get handily passed by voters last month bolstered such claims. One provision could give Indians control over the natural resources in their territory, strengthening their ability to win concessions from the authorities and private companies, or even block mining projects.

Mr. Morales shocked neighboring Brazil, with whom he is on friendly terms, by nationalizing that country’s natural gas projects here in 2006 and seeking a sharp rise in prices. He carried out his latest nationalization before the vote on the Constitution, sending soldiers to occupy the operations of the British oil giant BP.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/world/americas/03lithium.html?_r=5&hp

To someone (like me) from America, it's startling to see heads of state who genuinely care about their people and aren't interested in bribes. May we all someday live in a place like that. I don't know much about President Morales, but anyone who sticks it to BP can't be half bad. I'm going to start following this gentleman a bit more closely.

[bemildred]

1. Well heck, I guess we could just pay the going rate for the lithium. nt

[DCKit]

2. LOL ironic.

Guess we're going to have to work *with* the countries of South and Central America this time around - or else.

"Fair Trade" is either going to become the standard or we're screwn.

[Judi Lynn]

3. He's an exceptional human being. You did know one of the first things he did was cut his own salary,

right? In half, and it was low, to start with.

He was living in a very cheap apartment in a cheap hotel before he was elected, and once he was the President Elect, he started receiving heads of states who came to Bolivia to speak with him before his inauguration in his very tiny, and cheap room.

That impresses the heck outta me. He doesn't waste his and everyone else's precious time being vain, and self-obsessed. He also has enough self-respect to not fall apart when racist scum in the European descended areas actually shriek "f*cking Indian" at him loudly. Reporters have been on hand when they've done it.

How he can keep from really getting wildly furious with these racist monsters is more than I can fathom.

Do take the time to read as much as you can on this President, and his environment, including any history of Bolivia in the last century. It's far sadder, more brutal than any of our media sources have ever acknowledged. You won't ever feel the time was wasted.

[Elidor]

4. I've been so locked into following US politics that I've neglected to pay much attention

To what's going on in South America. But he's a very interesting man. And no, I didn't know that about his salary. It's a wonder the Bushies didn't orchestrate a coup against him like they did with Chavez.

I need to pay a lot more attention to the rest of the world. And now that I'm no longer sick with outrage over my own government, I think it will be easier to get interested.

[Elidor]

5. Evo Morales on The Daily Show

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=103275&title=president-evo-morales

September 25, 2007

[Judi Lynn]

6. Was so deeply pleased to see it the night he went on the show, and so happy to see it again!

He radiates good will, strength, perceptiveness, kindness, wisdom, self-confidence, and respect for others. Don't see how a country's President could be much finer than this man.

Hoping he manages to survive the hatred, assassination attempts by the oligarchy, and live to be very, very old, accident free and healthy. So much is riding on his shoulders.

Thanks for sharing this link. Wonderful.