Finally, he stated, "The Laws of Bolivia are for Bolivia and they will give an historic and fundamental shift in form and in content, since they will respect the concept of state property in Bolivia over the total hydrocarbon reserves".

This sort of speech at the moment of being ratified as President sounds reasonable on the surface. But what does it really mean? The blockade of the main communications routes in Bolivia and the accompanying protests can be boiled down to five main bones of contention.

Evo Morales, Bolivian deputy and leader of the Movement to Socialism Party (MAS) Morales has stated in public that the aim of the protests is not to overthrow the government or spark a coup d�etat.  He said that he respects the constitution and will operate within a democratic framework. Yesterday, speaking in Qatar, President Chavez also said that President Mesa should complete his term as Bolivian President and that then, democratic elections should be held.

Democratic Revolution

Thus, contrary to what the apologists of the northern empire may write or think, both these revolutionary leaders are effectively confirming their adherence to democracy in the region, and not exporting a "violent revolution" such as the one which brought Fidel Castro to power in Cuba in 1958. I can only suppose that if, for example, Morales were democratically elected as President of Bolivia, within the current constutional framework, then Washington would have "something to say about it". 

Please note that the Bolivian ratification system in Congress, if no candidate were to receive more than 50% of the votes cast, could ratify the runner up � thus, democracy boils down to legal manipulations and influences - as it did in the 2000 US elections, when Bush was ratified by the vote of then Chief Justice, William Rehnquist, one of Bush�s Sr. "buddies". Bear in mind, that members of the Bolivian Congress can hardly be termed "revolucionaries" as many of them still represent foreign interests, especially now that a "gas bonanza" is just around the corner.

For this reason, a Constituent Assembly is vital to promote real peoples� democracy in Bolivia, without having to resort to violent means to protect the sovereign rights of the Bolivian people, most of whom are of indigenous extraction.

Evo Morales� - the "Andean Bolivar"

The following report was published in a Paraguayan web site (ABC) from the Italian news wire service, ANSA.

Evo Morales pushes for a great indigenous movement in Bolivia, Peru and Chile

Santiago de Chile, March 8, (ANSA). The coca leaf farmers leader Evo Morales stated his intention to form a "great indigenous movement" in Bolivia, Peru and Chile which will allow the original inhabitants of these countries to come to power.

In the Chilean daily newspaper La Segunda, Morales stated:

"The aim of forming a movement similar to the Bolivian Movement towards Socialism (MAS) is going ahead. We have understood that proposals must emerge from our protests and for this reason we are not excluding an indigenous tripartite summit, with the objective of launching a platform of indigenous peoples which will take us to power."

These policies were aimed at exporting Bolivian gas to California at knock down prices, which would have favored the oil multinationals of the corporate global empire. This sparked massive protests and led to his resignation and his subsequent exile in the US, where he had in fact lived most of his life as evidenced by his "gringo accent" when he speaks Spanish.

As little real information about the acceptance and influence of Evo Morales reaches the US via the mass media, suffice it to say that by his indigenous brothers, Morales is regarded as the "Andean Bolivar". It is not surprising that Morales has also received assassination threats as has Chavez, since these men, with a continental wide vision, represent a real threat to US imperialist interests, as well as those of the global corporate empire in South America � at least.

Morales recognizes that Chavez supports him politically and that the indigenous peoples received money from Venezuela to asphalt as road � but he categorically denies receiving funds to "promote the revolution in Bolivia", as this would be tantamount to Chavez interfering in Bolivian sovereign affairs. Nevertheless, I am certain that the right wing press will keep hammering home this point. Where is the documentation, or proof beyond a reasonable doubt in this case? No, it is just yet another mass media campaign to discredit both revolutionary leaders, whose aim is the REAL freedom of peoples historically excluded, murdered and impoverished for more than 500 years!

The situation in Bolivia is fluid now that President Mesa has been reconfirmed by Congress and the next chapters in this political and social struggle of the Bolivian people for their historical and sovereign rights are about to be written. There are many themes on the table, all of which are of vital national interest, and all appear to have come to a head simultaneously. To summarize:

A defining moment in Bolivian history

This could be a defining moment in Bolivian history. Let us not lose sight of the fact that it is a continuation of the historical struggle of the Poor vs. The Oligarchy, with US corporate interests and possibly the U.S. military on the side of the latter.

However, this is evolving into a battle for South America as a whole. The legal framework for independence and unity of the South American Nations was signed in Cuzco, Peru on December 8th, 2004 and will be ratified in April 2005 by national assemblies and congresses by the signatory nations.

The indigenous peoples existed then as now, and the historical identity of these peoples will once again make itself felt as this generational struggle continues in the 21st century.

Latest communique' received from Carlos Herrera, Wednesday March 10th - President Mesa invites Evo Morales to talks and apologises in public to Morales, if Morales has felt offended by earlier remarks. Morales has agreed to meet Mesa for talks. Mesa has said that he will come to some sort of "social pact" with the opposition, in order to calm things down. Meanwhile, the Bolivian government is trying pass emergency legislation to make the road blocks illegal so as to arrest the protesters. Morales said that the road blocks would not be lifted even if the government declared a "state of siege". Things are moving quickly and close attention should be paid on a day to day basis.

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