texas grass
09-24-2008, 03:27 PM
Bolivian President Evo Morales has strongly criticized the US for stoking violence in the South American state to oust his government.
During his speech at the 63rd UN General Assembly, Morales said that Washington supports his opponents who are planning a coup in order to topple his democratically-elected government, Reuters reported.
The Bolivian president asked the 192 UN members to condemn the US imperialist rhetoric. He also noted that America must 'correct' its behavior and refrains from 'intervention and conspiracy', otherwise his government would not engage in closer ties with Washington.
US-Bolivia relations have been strained after Morales expelled the American ambassador from La Paz last month on charges of inciting anti-government protests.
Evo Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, introduced laws to equally share the country's eastern oil riches amongst the native poor, a move viewed socialistic and strongly opposed by the affluent easterners.
Violent protests, killing 18 so far, reportedly continue in various parts of the country where anti-Morales governors ask for the lion share of the oil and natural gas income.
South American leaders are going to discuss Bolivia's unrest and broker a possible deal between the government and the opposition to end the violence there.
ARQN/PA
Morales scolds US at UN meeting
Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:27:58 GMT
Bolivian President Evo Morales addresses the UN General Assembly in New York.
Bolivian President Evo Morales has accused the US of backing opponents trying to destabilize his government with ??acts of terrorism.?
In an address to the United Nations assembly in New York on Tuesday, Bolivia's first indigenous president referred to what he called a permanent conspiracy among pro-autonomy, largely white groups in Bolivia's wealthy eastern areas.
"I would like to hear representatives of the U.S. government rejecting these acts of terrorism ... But you know, they are allies, of course they will never condemn this,? he said.
Earlier this month anti-Morales protesters from Bolivia's resource-rich "half-moon" states provoked clashes during which 18 people were killed.
Anti-Morales protesters have also caused disruption by setting up roadblocks, attacking police, abducting federal employees, seizing airports and taking over state-run television stations and community radio stations.
Anti-government elements have also targeted pipelines transporting natural gas to countries such as Brazil. One of Morales' key proposals is to nationalize windfall profits from Bolivia's natural gas industry.
Morales told the UN assembly that wealthier states oppose plans to redistribute wealth amongst the people of Latin America's poorest country.
Latin American nations and Europe have supported the Bolivian government, but Morales condemned the US for not responding to the situation.
Morales told the gathering of world leaders that he believed the US works to undermine nations that reject the capitalist model.
In response to growing unrest, Bolivia expelled the US ambassador to La Paz last month. President Morales revealed that US Ambassador Phillip Goldberg had held meetings with secessionist leaders and alleged that the US Embassy had asked Peace Corps volunteers and a Fulbright scholar to act as spies.
In past years, the US Congress-funded National Endowment for Democracy and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) organizations have supported right-wing movements in Bolivia.
JC/WY
During his speech at the 63rd UN General Assembly, Morales said that Washington supports his opponents who are planning a coup in order to topple his democratically-elected government, Reuters reported.
The Bolivian president asked the 192 UN members to condemn the US imperialist rhetoric. He also noted that America must 'correct' its behavior and refrains from 'intervention and conspiracy', otherwise his government would not engage in closer ties with Washington.
US-Bolivia relations have been strained after Morales expelled the American ambassador from La Paz last month on charges of inciting anti-government protests.
Evo Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, introduced laws to equally share the country's eastern oil riches amongst the native poor, a move viewed socialistic and strongly opposed by the affluent easterners.
Violent protests, killing 18 so far, reportedly continue in various parts of the country where anti-Morales governors ask for the lion share of the oil and natural gas income.
South American leaders are going to discuss Bolivia's unrest and broker a possible deal between the government and the opposition to end the violence there.
ARQN/PA
Morales scolds US at UN meeting
Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:27:58 GMT
Bolivian President Evo Morales addresses the UN General Assembly in New York.
Bolivian President Evo Morales has accused the US of backing opponents trying to destabilize his government with ??acts of terrorism.?
In an address to the United Nations assembly in New York on Tuesday, Bolivia's first indigenous president referred to what he called a permanent conspiracy among pro-autonomy, largely white groups in Bolivia's wealthy eastern areas.
"I would like to hear representatives of the U.S. government rejecting these acts of terrorism ... But you know, they are allies, of course they will never condemn this,? he said.
Earlier this month anti-Morales protesters from Bolivia's resource-rich "half-moon" states provoked clashes during which 18 people were killed.
Anti-Morales protesters have also caused disruption by setting up roadblocks, attacking police, abducting federal employees, seizing airports and taking over state-run television stations and community radio stations.
Anti-government elements have also targeted pipelines transporting natural gas to countries such as Brazil. One of Morales' key proposals is to nationalize windfall profits from Bolivia's natural gas industry.
Morales told the UN assembly that wealthier states oppose plans to redistribute wealth amongst the people of Latin America's poorest country.
Latin American nations and Europe have supported the Bolivian government, but Morales condemned the US for not responding to the situation.
Morales told the gathering of world leaders that he believed the US works to undermine nations that reject the capitalist model.
In response to growing unrest, Bolivia expelled the US ambassador to La Paz last month. President Morales revealed that US Ambassador Phillip Goldberg had held meetings with secessionist leaders and alleged that the US Embassy had asked Peace Corps volunteers and a Fulbright scholar to act as spies.
In past years, the US Congress-funded National Endowment for Democracy and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) organizations have supported right-wing movements in Bolivia.
JC/WY