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Lagniappe
Scott Sullivan:
Morales power grab puts US on hotseat
Cuba's Prensa Latina carries a story today that Evo Morales is proposing
that the rules for the Constitutional Assembly be revised so that only
one-half the votes be needed to pass measures before the Assembly in lieu of
the two-thirds majority under current rules. This is because Morales's
party, the MAS has only a majority of the Assembly seats.In effect, Morales is asking to be named dictator of Bolivia. Now, the big
question is -- will the US go along?Why not? The US has accepted all previous Morales transgressions. This time
is different, however for four reasons. This time the US should confront
Morales.First, Morales is dropping all pretense of playing by democratic rules.
Thus, the US can no longer make excuses for Morales,as it has in the past.Second, if the US gives way this time, the US will be exposed as an open
ally of Morales, Castro, Chavez and Ortega. Such a US decision will embolden
Iran and Hezbollah, as well as the Castro forces in Cuba.Third, Bolivia's opposition is in a strong position to fight back with its
own democratic mandate for self-determination in four Bolivian states in the
same vote that approved the Constitutional Assembly.Fourth, Brazil is now in a state of alert over Morales's and Chavez's
intentions in the region, and may now be willing to help eastern Bolivia's
four states separate from Bolivia. This rrepresents an enormous opportunity
for those who love freedom in Latin America.In other words, Bolivia has reached a decisive turning point, along with US
policy for Latin America. The next few days will tell if the US is with
Morales, or with the forces of freedom in Latin America.
Scott Sullivan is the Editor of Iran-Watch.com and a former Washington government employee. Petroleumworld not necessarily share these views.
Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published in Iran-Watch.com, on 08/14/2006. Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers.
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Petroleumworld 08/15/06
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