Bolivia refuses to be U.S. slave: VP

[Judi Lynn]

Bolivia refuses to be U.S. slave: VP
2010-01-05 11:51:17

LA PAZ, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Bolivian government said on Monday that it refuses to blindly cater to the economic or political desires of the United States.

Bolivia's Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera said that as La Paz wanted to reset its diplomatic ties with Washington, based on mutual respect, the country should not become a slave of the United States, which he described as "the most important power and the market of the world."

In an interview with Radio Erbol, Bolivia's national radio, Garcia said Bolivia had been "the most subordinated" Latin American country to the United States in the past. "We do not want a market in exchange for them (Americans) telling us who must be the master. We do not want tax preference in exchange for them telling us what must be our economic policy, because that will make us become a slave and a colony again," Garcia said.

According to Garcia, U.S. President Barack Obama, like his predecessor George W. Bush, had a "strong war policy" which did not allow ties between the two countries to improve. "When he (Obama) learns to recognize that the world is a community of sovereign states, which voluntarily are independent, we will have better ties with the United States," Garcia said.

More:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/05/content_12757492.htm

[Bacchus39]

1. there you go. why even try???

According to Garcia, U.S. President Barack Obama, like his predecessor George W. Bush, had a "strong war policy" which did not allow ties between the two countries to improve.

[Peace Patriot]

2. "why even try"? cuz maybe the "little indians" think they're equal?

cuz maybe the "little indians" think they have a sovereign right to decide on their own diplomatic relations?
cuz maybe they still hope that Obama won't fund death squads and white separatists and rightwing military coups in their country?
cuz maybe they figure U.S. investors are hurting real bad these days and want a slice of those gas, oil and lithium reserves, and might even obey local laws and agree to fair contracts to get at them?
cuz maybe they like Americans even though our government has shit on their heads for a hundred years?
cuz maybe, as the leaders of one of the most amazing peaceful political transformations in history, comparable to the end of apartheid in South Africa, they think that the black, the brown and other racial minorities in the U.S., and U.S. progressives, might have a lot in common with them, and might be able to influence U.S. policy in South America, now that the Bush Junta is gone?
cuz maybe their courage and their example are needed here, and they know it?
cuz maybe it's best for their people and their region to have peaceful relations with the armed behemoth of the north if possible?
cuz maybe their healthy socialist economy--one of the best positioned economies in the western hemisphere--has something to teach us, and they would like us to know about it, if they can get past the lying, disinformationist corporate press and the hostile corporate powers in Washington DC?
cuz maybe they want a partnership? ("We want partners, not bosses." --Evo Morales)
cuz the Andes snowcap is melting very fast, the U.S. is the main contributor to climate destabilization and maybe they see a desperate need to influence the U.S. toward more respectful relations with Mother Earth, on behalf of their own people and the rest of humanity, if they can possibly do so?
cuz the U.S. is wasting billions and billions of dollars on demonizing innocent plants like the coca leaf--one of the most nutritious teas and chews from the plant world, and a traditional indian medicine--and maybe they want to influence the U.S. toward better uses for those funds, if possible?

Gee, there are a whole lot of reasons why Bolivia's leaders would want to improve relations with the U.S., if possible. It just takes a little open-mindedness to see them. Or, you could blind yourself to their interests, and to past and recent history, and steal your mind against their amazing achievements, and go stumbling around with questions like "why even try?"

[Bacchus39]

4. it doesn't sound like they are interested in improving relations

that is the point PP. and that is why I highlighted the quote from the VP.

remember, Bolivia wants the trade preferences that they used to have. that is what they are upset about.

[Zorro]

3. Linera must think public whining will lead to a restoration in preferential tariff treatment

Apparently the change in US policy is affecting Bolivian exports to the US, and he wants the preferential tariff treatment restored without any conditions.

Hint to Linera: talking smack about the US and this administration is not likely to get you what you want.

And didn't Venezuela pledge to pick up the slack?