Santa Cruz, celebrate! NOW WE ARE AUTONOMOUS!
Let me begin by welcoming my Bolivian brothers, who accompanied me and remained until today in the Hunger Strike. This was a hunger strike, which was attended by many citizens from all parts of the country, citizens of our social institutions, professional associations, educational, peasants, indigenous people, business and civic.
Greetings my brothers from Sucre and Chuquisaca, who came with courage into this strike. This peaceful strike was against authoritarianism and MAS (Evo Morales Party) and in favour of the Statute of Autonomy, to promote democracy and ultimate freedom.
The Civic Committee has fought for decades seeking freedom. And today this struggle for freedom is called Autonomy. Let me once again tell the country and the world: the battle of Santa Cruz for freedom has always been peaceful. It has always been within the law. It has always been through dialogue. Freedom, autonomy and dialogue.
That is the path we have traveled. And the status of autonomy leads us today in that road.
Santa Cruz, through its autonomous status, becomes today the hope of the Bolivian democracy.
Santa Cruz, through its autonomous status, becomes the basis of a united Bolivia.
Santa Cruz, through its autonomous status, becomes today and forever the proposed Bolivia where departments live in solidarity with each other.
Santa Cruz, through its autonomous status, becomes the hope of Bolivia where departments spread their resources among the provinces, districts and indigenous peoples.
Santa Cruz, dear compatriots and dear cruceños:
Santa Cruz, through its autonomous status, offers Bolivia a new opportunity for everyone. Unity in a democracy. Solidarity among departments. Boosting the development of districts, provinces and the development of indigenous peoples. New economic opportunities for all Bolivians.
This is Santa Cruz. That's autonomy. That is the status of autonomy.
Cruceños and Bolivians: Faced with communism, we propose democracy. Faced with the outrage, we propose dialogue. Faced with rising prices and the crisis in which this government has placed us, we propose better jobs. Faced with the authoritarian project of the MAS that benefits only their sectors, we propose autonomy for all, unity and freedom.
Because this is an autonomy for the Bolivian people. It is a statute for all ways of life, all cultures, all people in rural areas and in cities.
Mr President, stop discrediting this autonomy. I suggest that you read our autonomous status. I suggest that you read our statute to realize that this is the autonomy of unity rather than separation as you always say to fool people. Listes to us, and especially respect us, as the free people we are. Take into account our view and read this statute. Read it because this statute, since its first paragraph guarantees and promotes the unity of Bolivia and solidarity among all Bolivians. Rather than blaming us, spend a little time learning our statute.
Our autonomy. Learn once and for all that this is the autonomy of the unit.
Now, our mission as a civic, as cruceños, as fathers and mothers of families, as working people, is to engage life with soul and heart to prepare the referendum for the people to vote and adopt the statute of autonomy.
I call out and invite the people to sign the books and to vote in the referendum for the statute of autonomy.
I call out and invite the people to participate in democratic and peaceful ways in the construction of a new Bolivia, the construction of the autonomous Santa Cruz, in the construction of a Bolivia and Santa Cruz full of new opportunities and full of future and social peace.
Finally, and as it should be, I tell my people, celebrate! Celebrate because today is a day of celebration. Celebrate with all the forces of our hearts, this victory is a victory of the people.
It is a victory for everyone. It is a victory for democracy, a victory of Santa Cruz and Bolivia.
This autonomist victory should encourage further work from us. To strive and work twice as harder. To strive in our jobs. To strive in the countryside. To strive in the industry. In the markets. In the works and place where everything takes place, working with honesty and simplicity, because that is the way of this prosperous land, productive and hospitable.
That is the way of an open-arms Santa Cruz.
The path is long and we have to walk it together. We will have a lot of hard work. But it is worth it. Santa Cruz, Bolivia and self worth.
Viva Bolivia, Viva Santa Cruz, Viva la Autonomìa!
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, December 15, 2007
sábado, 15 de diciembre de 2007
The challenge of reconciliation. A Message to all Bolivians
By Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé,
Former President of the Republic
More than two years ago I assumed the presidency to lead a crucial stage of political transition, I did this with the firm purpose of preserving democratic values and principles, the country's unity and continuity.
Now, I find it my duty to convey to all Bolivians my concern at the difficult hours we face again. I do so calmly, without encouraging fights, convinced that there is no prospect of civilized coexistence without the rule of law, without mutual respect and convergence between rulers and ruled, without a fruitful dialogue.
The relationship between Constitution and Democracy is not simple, the texts do not always correspond to the ideals and it is normal to produce tensions. Hence the importance of the responsible exercise of "constituent power" by all citizens and particularly by our assemblymen and leaders, national and local. The constituent power must synthesize our purposes to live in peace, reconciling our differences, organizing a state in which the exercise of public authority has limits and responds to the interests of all the same. This exercise has not had a reasonable performance, its first results have been dyed by illegitimacy, violence and confrontation that has already claimed innocent victims. In Oruro the Constituent Assembly adopted a spurious text, known only by an official partiality, without following the established procedures and without a pluralistic and democratic discussion. These practices violate the right to dissent and reproduce practices of intolerance and exclusion, so I join the condemnation of the abuses of the legal system and all sectarian practices, racism and intolerance which open old and new wounds, rather than helping loyal and peacefully to draw a new social pact.
It is imperative to amend the current constitution and begin a process for the new Constitution to become an expression of a genuine vocation for coexistence and non-sectarian or hegemonic projects of any kind.
I appeal to all, without exception, by place of origin, race or creed, to recover our challenge for reconciliation, for the players of the national policy to be able to conclude agreements democratic, respecting the law, institutions and aspirations that unite all us all Bolivians in our diversity. In particular I invoke Evo Morales, President of the Republic, to bet on unity and peace in a country that prefers to look to the future with hope and with less rancor.
May the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity of the holiday season inspire greater tolerance and harmony among all.
Indigenous Bolivians see better days with the Statute of Autonomy of Santa Cruz
The Indians ayoreos, Guarayos, guraníes, Chiquitano and yuracaré Moxenos opt for autonomy in Bolivia. They show their satisfaction with the adoption of the Statute of the Autonomous in the Department of Santa Cruz.
"We have always been free and autonomous. Our ancestors never lived in slavery and always fought for this and for us is a great achievement", reflected his satisfaction Fernando Chiqueno, delegate to the directory of Comite Pro Santa Cruz by the Ayorea Community to undertake the adoption of the Statute of the Department Autonomous Santa Cruz (EDASC), which was adopted on December 13, 2007 in the Provisional Autonomic Assembly of the Department of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
With a unique language, a mixture between ayoreo and Spanish, Chiqueno expressed that he feels pleased and said that the Autonomic Statute adopted takes into account all the indigenous communities in the department.
"Ayoreos, Guarayos, guraníes, Chiquitano and yuracaré Moxenos are betting on autonomy and here we are confident we will have a better life for us Indians. We believe that autonomy will bring more roads, more education and health that benefits the people of our territories. That is what we need the most, for us who come from the provinces", assured this indigenous leader.
Like some thirty indigenous representatives from within the department of Santa Cruz, Fernando Chiqueno follows a hunger strike with more than 300 strikers representatives of the various organizations civilians, businessmen, social and civics, who established the strike down in the main plaza as a rejection of government policies to cut funding (IDH) to the regions and the illegal adoption of the new State Constitution by the government of Evo Morales.
"We have always been free and autonomous. Our ancestors never lived in slavery and always fought for this and for us is a great achievement", reflected his satisfaction Fernando Chiqueno, delegate to the directory of Comite Pro Santa Cruz by the Ayorea Community to undertake the adoption of the Statute of the Department Autonomous Santa Cruz (EDASC), which was adopted on December 13, 2007 in the Provisional Autonomic Assembly of the Department of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
With a unique language, a mixture between ayoreo and Spanish, Chiqueno expressed that he feels pleased and said that the Autonomic Statute adopted takes into account all the indigenous communities in the department.
"Ayoreos, Guarayos, guraníes, Chiquitano and yuracaré Moxenos are betting on autonomy and here we are confident we will have a better life for us Indians. We believe that autonomy will bring more roads, more education and health that benefits the people of our territories. That is what we need the most, for us who come from the provinces", assured this indigenous leader.
Like some thirty indigenous representatives from within the department of Santa Cruz, Fernando Chiqueno follows a hunger strike with more than 300 strikers representatives of the various organizations civilians, businessmen, social and civics, who established the strike down in the main plaza as a rejection of government policies to cut funding (IDH) to the regions and the illegal adoption of the new State Constitution by the government of Evo Morales.
Morales divides Bolivia over social contract
By Richard Lapper in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Published: December 14 2007 18:28
Leg cramps that started on the fifth day of her hunger strike were not enough to stop Beatriz Leigue de Parada’s “hunger strike” against the constitutional changes planned by the left-wing government of Evo Morales.
The 40-year-old administrator and mother of four – like several hundred other strikers camped out in the main square of Santa Cruz, capital of Bolivia’s biggest rebel department – is determined to stick with her protest.
The demonstrators are allowing themselves lots of liquids – as well as four almonds and a centimetre of chocolate per day – and will stop their strike when the governor of Santa Cruz, Ruben Costas, today announces a new autonomy statute for the department. So it is hardly “the resistance until death” struggle promised by the banners above Tent 15, occupied by Ms Leigue and about a dozen other women protesters.
Even so, the scene reflects the fact that tensions between Bolivia’s president – an indigenous Aymaran – and the country’s eastern, relatively wealthy and mainly mixed-race departments are running high. And things could get worse if the government opts to force the conservative rebels into submission by sending in police or troops, forcing a confrontation that could lead to violence or even Bolivia’s break-up. Ms Leigue is worried about the prospect of “repression”.
Other Crucenos [natives of Santa Cruz] fear an even more catastrophic scenario. Ejti Stih, a local artist, is concerned Bolivia could slip into the same pattern of intransigence and irrationality that led her native Yugoslavia to war in the 1990s. “No one would have thought war was possible in 1982 when I left Slovenia,” she says.
Mr Morales has been at odds with the leaders of Santa Cruz and five other eastern departments ever since his election in December 2005. All six are run by the rightwing or centrist parties opposed to his plans to “refound” the nation to give a bigger say to majority Aymara, Quechua and other indigenous groups.
But things became complicated this month when after a year and a half of stalemate over a new constitution, pro-government legislators railroaded a controversial draft in a matter of hours.
Particularly contentious were clauses in the document – which must still be submitted to a referendum – that granted new rights and autonomy not just to departments like Santa Cruz but to loosely defined communities occupied by indigenous people, allowing them to run justice and other affairs along traditional lines.
Mr Morales describes his opponents as a “fascist oligarchy” that has backed conspiracies fomented by its “US imperialist” backers, a stance that would suggest little room for negotiation. But judging by the protests in Santa Cruz at least, matters seem to be more complex.
Some of the strikers are comfortably off. Many are members of a myriad of professional and business associations. Employers – such as the soya processing company where 42-year-old Maria Elena Ascarruz works in marketing – are happy to see their staff take time off. But the Santa Cruz protests are also backed by poor local teachers and some indigenous groups.
Indeed, the movement’s varied social composition, says Julio Cesar Caballero, a local journalist, reflects extensive immigration in the past two decades or so, both from abroad – Spain, eastern Europe and the Middle East – and from Bolivia itself as a result of the boom in crops such as cotton and soya. All this has produced a more open and socially mobile society that is different in many respects from the more communitarian culture of the indigenous highlands.
The protesters are alarmed by the indigenous rights planned in the new constitution, arguing these will make their citizenship second class. But they deny accusations of racism. “We are not the monsters that they say we are,” says Ms Leigue, who adds that she and her friends typically help indigenous domestic employees to study and make progress. “Things evolve. We help people out and are inclusive.”
“This is my country as well. We have to be taken into account,” says Ana Maria Seleme, a divorced mother of two and recently qualified psychoanalyst, 41, as she sips iced tea and smokes a cigarette.
Although the protesters distrust Mr Morales’ socialist rhetoric and links with Venezuela and Cuba, they are more worried by botched economic policies that have increased the cost of living.
Government meddling has led to shortages of diesel, for example, that have made it more difficult for farmers to harvest crops, leading to inflation. Rice prices have tripled in recent months. Monica Gutierrez, a 41-year-old primary school teacher, says the poor parents of many of her pupils are now able to afford to eat only once a day.
And despite the fears of the likes of Ms Stih, the protesters are still hopeful that there will be compromise. “We really want it to be settled,” says Ms Ascarruz. “We don’t want a civil war.”
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
Published: December 14 2007 18:28
Leg cramps that started on the fifth day of her hunger strike were not enough to stop Beatriz Leigue de Parada’s “hunger strike” against the constitutional changes planned by the left-wing government of Evo Morales.
The 40-year-old administrator and mother of four – like several hundred other strikers camped out in the main square of Santa Cruz, capital of Bolivia’s biggest rebel department – is determined to stick with her protest.
The demonstrators are allowing themselves lots of liquids – as well as four almonds and a centimetre of chocolate per day – and will stop their strike when the governor of Santa Cruz, Ruben Costas, today announces a new autonomy statute for the department. So it is hardly “the resistance until death” struggle promised by the banners above Tent 15, occupied by Ms Leigue and about a dozen other women protesters.
Even so, the scene reflects the fact that tensions between Bolivia’s president – an indigenous Aymaran – and the country’s eastern, relatively wealthy and mainly mixed-race departments are running high. And things could get worse if the government opts to force the conservative rebels into submission by sending in police or troops, forcing a confrontation that could lead to violence or even Bolivia’s break-up. Ms Leigue is worried about the prospect of “repression”.
Other Crucenos [natives of Santa Cruz] fear an even more catastrophic scenario. Ejti Stih, a local artist, is concerned Bolivia could slip into the same pattern of intransigence and irrationality that led her native Yugoslavia to war in the 1990s. “No one would have thought war was possible in 1982 when I left Slovenia,” she says.
Mr Morales has been at odds with the leaders of Santa Cruz and five other eastern departments ever since his election in December 2005. All six are run by the rightwing or centrist parties opposed to his plans to “refound” the nation to give a bigger say to majority Aymara, Quechua and other indigenous groups.
But things became complicated this month when after a year and a half of stalemate over a new constitution, pro-government legislators railroaded a controversial draft in a matter of hours.
Particularly contentious were clauses in the document – which must still be submitted to a referendum – that granted new rights and autonomy not just to departments like Santa Cruz but to loosely defined communities occupied by indigenous people, allowing them to run justice and other affairs along traditional lines.
Mr Morales describes his opponents as a “fascist oligarchy” that has backed conspiracies fomented by its “US imperialist” backers, a stance that would suggest little room for negotiation. But judging by the protests in Santa Cruz at least, matters seem to be more complex.
Some of the strikers are comfortably off. Many are members of a myriad of professional and business associations. Employers – such as the soya processing company where 42-year-old Maria Elena Ascarruz works in marketing – are happy to see their staff take time off. But the Santa Cruz protests are also backed by poor local teachers and some indigenous groups.
Indeed, the movement’s varied social composition, says Julio Cesar Caballero, a local journalist, reflects extensive immigration in the past two decades or so, both from abroad – Spain, eastern Europe and the Middle East – and from Bolivia itself as a result of the boom in crops such as cotton and soya. All this has produced a more open and socially mobile society that is different in many respects from the more communitarian culture of the indigenous highlands.
The protesters are alarmed by the indigenous rights planned in the new constitution, arguing these will make their citizenship second class. But they deny accusations of racism. “We are not the monsters that they say we are,” says Ms Leigue, who adds that she and her friends typically help indigenous domestic employees to study and make progress. “Things evolve. We help people out and are inclusive.”
“This is my country as well. We have to be taken into account,” says Ana Maria Seleme, a divorced mother of two and recently qualified psychoanalyst, 41, as she sips iced tea and smokes a cigarette.
Although the protesters distrust Mr Morales’ socialist rhetoric and links with Venezuela and Cuba, they are more worried by botched economic policies that have increased the cost of living.
Government meddling has led to shortages of diesel, for example, that have made it more difficult for farmers to harvest crops, leading to inflation. Rice prices have tripled in recent months. Monica Gutierrez, a 41-year-old primary school teacher, says the poor parents of many of her pupils are now able to afford to eat only once a day.
And despite the fears of the likes of Ms Stih, the protesters are still hopeful that there will be compromise. “We really want it to be settled,” says Ms Ascarruz. “We don’t want a civil war.”
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
THEY DON’T FEAR THREATS OF THE GOVERNMENT. Four regions of Bolivia are preparing massive public concentrations to present their autonomic statutes
As soon as four departments concluded writing their autonomic statutes, political, civic and social leaders of the east and the south of Bolivia, agreed in indicating that the process of implementation of the departmental autonomies is irreversible, while preparing themselves to present it tomorrow (Saturday) in individual massive concentrations. In spite of the threats received from the Government that has billeted the Bolivian Arm Forces and reinforced the city of Santa Cruz with more than 1500 policemen, more than 500 hunger strikers remain with their protest.
“It is the birth certificate of Santa Cruz and of an autonomic Bolivia”, said congressman Pablo Klinsky, president of the Pre-Autonomic Council that met for more than 30 hours to conclude the approval process of the statute that will prevail in the department, which as a result of the private initiative, has the highest growth and development of the country, contributing to the economy with near 40% of the Gross Internal Product (GIP) and a similar percentage in national taxes.
From Pando and Beni, the civic leaders, Ana Maria Melena and Alberto Melgar, sustained that all citizens are motivated to participate in the public presentation of their statutes. From Tarija, the gas capital of Bolivia, Prefect (Governor) Mario Cossio showed that there is a lot of expectation and “impatience” among “tarijeños” (natives of Tarija) to approve the organic document that will govern them after they carry out departmental referendums.
Prefect (Governor), Rubén Costs, doesn’t hide his joy and optimism while indicating that “this new step” towards the consolidation of the political model - administrative and financial -which autonomists propose, will allow us to grow in all areas, guaranteeing the attention of the population’s basic needs in the department that shelters every year an internal migration of over 100,000 people, around 7% according to the data presented by the National Institute of Statistics, NSI.
“We are the hope of social welfare, freedom and integration for every body who was born and arrived in these plains”, stated German Antelo, former president of the Pro Santa Cruz Committee that led the last two concentrations where over half of million people met on June 28th 2006, before the autonomic referendum held on July 2nd, and the one that took place last year on December 15th that reunited a million people, something unprecedented in the history of this Latin American country.
The sociologist and ex- ally of M.A.S. (President Evo Morales’s Political Party), Jose Mirtembaum, sustained in a national T.V. interview that the cosmopolitan quality of Santa Cruz has turned it into a “melting pot of different cultures and races”, allowing it to lead the search of new administration forms for the nation, with direct participation of the regions. For that reason, it is not rare that Santa Cruz leaded 22 years ago the process for the election of all mayors and city councils in Bolivia, a process that had a strong opposition from the government at that time, and that from Santa Cruz started the movement to elect the Prefects (Governors).
“The economic leadership and the vision of integration in a international context have also motivated urgent changes from the political view”, because the obscurity under which the centralism has put us for decades, forced the people to look, during the 60’, for solutions through cooperative systems that have given quality of life to all citizens, to the point that the electrical energy, the drinking water, the sewer system and the telephone system are provided by this cooperatives that now are “assets of thousands of partners and are an example of national cooperativism”, stated Antelo.
Native indigenous unrelated to the government, support autonomic processThe founder of the Bolivian Indigenous Confederation of the East, Cidob (abbreviation of Confederación Indígena del Oriente Boliviano), Jose Urañavi, of the Guaraní Ethnical group, showed his satisfaction due to the approval of the departmental autonomic statute and announced that, along with other chiquitanos (ethnical group from Chiquitos) and guaraní leaders, they will participate in tomorrow’s (Saturday) concentration.
Urañavi also sustained that “four articles in chapter twelve of the new autonomic statute, recognize the rights of all the native population, its culture, its language, uses and customs and gives them direct representation in the Departmental Assembly”.
On the other hand, the Ayoreo cacique (leader of the Ayoreo ethnical group), Fernando Cliquing, indicated that their ancestors always were independent; for that reason, they diffidently support the creation of autonomies in the departments, that recognize the cultural diversity and guarantee conditions for the development of Bolivia’s native population.
“It is the birth certificate of Santa Cruz and of an autonomic Bolivia”, said congressman Pablo Klinsky, president of the Pre-Autonomic Council that met for more than 30 hours to conclude the approval process of the statute that will prevail in the department, which as a result of the private initiative, has the highest growth and development of the country, contributing to the economy with near 40% of the Gross Internal Product (GIP) and a similar percentage in national taxes.
From Pando and Beni, the civic leaders, Ana Maria Melena and Alberto Melgar, sustained that all citizens are motivated to participate in the public presentation of their statutes. From Tarija, the gas capital of Bolivia, Prefect (Governor) Mario Cossio showed that there is a lot of expectation and “impatience” among “tarijeños” (natives of Tarija) to approve the organic document that will govern them after they carry out departmental referendums.
Prefect (Governor), Rubén Costs, doesn’t hide his joy and optimism while indicating that “this new step” towards the consolidation of the political model - administrative and financial -which autonomists propose, will allow us to grow in all areas, guaranteeing the attention of the population’s basic needs in the department that shelters every year an internal migration of over 100,000 people, around 7% according to the data presented by the National Institute of Statistics, NSI.
“We are the hope of social welfare, freedom and integration for every body who was born and arrived in these plains”, stated German Antelo, former president of the Pro Santa Cruz Committee that led the last two concentrations where over half of million people met on June 28th 2006, before the autonomic referendum held on July 2nd, and the one that took place last year on December 15th that reunited a million people, something unprecedented in the history of this Latin American country.
The sociologist and ex- ally of M.A.S. (President Evo Morales’s Political Party), Jose Mirtembaum, sustained in a national T.V. interview that the cosmopolitan quality of Santa Cruz has turned it into a “melting pot of different cultures and races”, allowing it to lead the search of new administration forms for the nation, with direct participation of the regions. For that reason, it is not rare that Santa Cruz leaded 22 years ago the process for the election of all mayors and city councils in Bolivia, a process that had a strong opposition from the government at that time, and that from Santa Cruz started the movement to elect the Prefects (Governors).
“The economic leadership and the vision of integration in a international context have also motivated urgent changes from the political view”, because the obscurity under which the centralism has put us for decades, forced the people to look, during the 60’, for solutions through cooperative systems that have given quality of life to all citizens, to the point that the electrical energy, the drinking water, the sewer system and the telephone system are provided by this cooperatives that now are “assets of thousands of partners and are an example of national cooperativism”, stated Antelo.
Native indigenous unrelated to the government, support autonomic processThe founder of the Bolivian Indigenous Confederation of the East, Cidob (abbreviation of Confederación Indígena del Oriente Boliviano), Jose Urañavi, of the Guaraní Ethnical group, showed his satisfaction due to the approval of the departmental autonomic statute and announced that, along with other chiquitanos (ethnical group from Chiquitos) and guaraní leaders, they will participate in tomorrow’s (Saturday) concentration.
Urañavi also sustained that “four articles in chapter twelve of the new autonomic statute, recognize the rights of all the native population, its culture, its language, uses and customs and gives them direct representation in the Departmental Assembly”.
On the other hand, the Ayoreo cacique (leader of the Ayoreo ethnical group), Fernando Cliquing, indicated that their ancestors always were independent; for that reason, they diffidently support the creation of autonomies in the departments, that recognize the cultural diversity and guarantee conditions for the development of Bolivia’s native population.
viernes, 14 de diciembre de 2007
Evo Morales seeks to impose a setback to their fellows, who resist, and not without reason
By Emilio J. Cárdenas
It is evident that Evo Morales, along with his godfathers and ideologists-Álvaro García Linera, Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro - has been trying to impose on all the Bolivians a new Constitution that, as we will prove, is a really strange collection of what it looks like a series of silly authentic juridical things. Beyond the good intentions that might probably be presumed.
Bringing Bolivia to the very doors of the precipice which results in violence (without hesitating a moment) Morales did approve illegally (that is, without having to agree with most of the two thirds of constituents, which require both the current Constitution, as well as the "Call Act" to the Constituent Assembly), a new draft of the Constitution for his suffering country.It did session abruptly on the inside of a military barracks in the city of Sucre (the worst scenario for a reform of social pact of any country facilitated by military lured openly with the cheques provided by President Chávez), without the presence of constituents of the opposition, and provoking in the vicinity of barracks several cowardly deaths (when in a scuffle against citizens of Sucre who were at the obvious maneuver by misleading, they were repressed, as if they were animals)
Oh, what a surprise! or "hocus-pocus, here is the new Constitution".
What unusual is that-after more than a year long session-nobody knew the full text of the Constitution that President Morales was to impose on the Bolivian population, suddenly, between roosters awaking and midnight, "it appeared" suddenly to be approved-at full speed-by representatives from the MAS (and two alternate members of the opposition which were ostensibly "bribed", this is bribed from power) on tables
The aforementioned ugly episode deserves to be included in the pages of "Guinness Book of Records", as the most shameful constitutional experience of history.
None of real Autonomies.
The result of these (and having also tried to hide the "Autonomies" that seek departments of the "Crescent moon" from the east of the country, the most working and contributing, after a referendum that will confirm in a transparent manner, convened by a proud Mr. Morales, which has now been ignored) is a situation of tension that can lead to disaster and the physical confrontation among brothers.
And I say among brothers, because it was assumed that all citizens are Bolivian, concept that always evoked a society clearly multi-ethnic, in which all together lived until not long ago-in peace, beyond their multiple nationalities. As it happens, without major difficulties in many other places around the world.
But President Morales and his mentor, the Vice-President Álvaro García Linera have been sowing-visible and constantly-hatred and resentment from power, using, unfairly, the machinery of the State.
A genuine "organized chaos", and some "proofs" as samples
They say that "for a sample a proof shows enough". Here are some proofs which contain the proposed new Constitution for Bolivia that propel President Morales, President Chávez and President Castro, in joint operation. They are either for laughing … or crying.
You, reader will judge, with your own approach, if they are, whether or not, "reasonable".
1. Definition of the State:
According to the Article 1 of the proposed new constitution drafted by the "specialist" from MAS (including the Cubans): "Bolivia is a unitary state, social multinational Community law, free, Autonomous Community and decentralized, independent, sovereign, democratic and intercultural education. It is based on the plurality and in the political pluralism, economic, legal, cultural and linguistic, within the process of integration of the country ".
Amazing puzzle, that-among other profound contradictions-suggests that, having legal pluralism, the rules will be different for each "nation", which is presumably the idea, although shine unusual. And chaotic. But, moreover, how can they have a unitary state and with multinational rights at the same time; or unitary, at once, autonomous and decentralized. What is economic pluralism? How will it be applied? And what about the legal? Will the rights of each other be different? Besides, will the rights of each other be different from others? Also, their civil and political freedoms?
What mammoth disaster of drafting and what horrible confusion of notions!
2. Languages:
For the “Article 5 of the proposed new Constitution designed by MAS,” the official languages of the State are Spanish and all the languages of indigenous nations" (which are 35).
Can you imagine? Dear reader, what will the Official Gazette be tomorrow? And the contractual and statutory texts!! Notable. One fate of endless encyclopedia, but daily.
3 Moral and ethical principles:
According to the Article 8 ° of the new proposed Constitution proposed by MAS, "the State assumes as an ethical principle-moral: ama qhilla, ama llulla, ama suwa ", which in Spanish apparently (does not explain in which of the 35 official languages these principles are set out, nor to which of the ethnic groups are, what makes suspect that they are aimaras) want to say: don’t be lazy, don't be aliar, don’t be a thief. Raper, perhaps, it does not matter. Killer, either. Swindler, possibly much less.
Of the Ten Commandments of Mount Sinai, to the three moral and ethical principles proposed, there is a whole abyss. And, let alone, to the human rights recognized in the community of nations, or on civil liberties and policies that are the traditional of modern democracies.
What madness, like any other. But what it is serious is that the aforesaid principles are not limited to the nation to which surely belongs, but that they intend to impose on the other 34 cultures presumed to be different. Against any logical solution, of course, as everything that makes Morales, who believes himself anointed as "authority" undisputed of all, without any limit, and without having to listen to any minority, never and ever.
4. Presidential periods.
Here is the real "mother of species". This is without doubt, the real reason for the unusual reform that Morales and García Linera seek.
Indeed, the draft of the new constitution, in its Article 166, said: "The term of office of the president and the vice-president of the State is five years, and may be re-elected consecutively".
For ever and ever, accordingly. Without any temporary limit. And without recourse to "switch" as it should be the senior level between husband and wife, to conceal the real eternity of mandates.
As it also happened in Venezuela and Ecuador. Once again, it follows the “Bolivarian model. Of the democratic alternation, if you have seen, I do not agree. In contrast, with open totalitarianism.
5. The chaos "indigenous-peasant".
Morales does not feel part of the Judeo-Christian. It is clear. Rather, the hate. He only accepts the British component of football, for which he has a passion.
However, it is not surprising that Articles 199 and 200 allow that "the nations and peasants will exercise their jurisdictional functions and competition through their authorities and apply their principles, cultural values, standards and procedures". to all? Only to them?
This is the chaos, in its more pure legal version. Despite that it also says: "The original indigenous jurisdiction shall respect fundamental rights established in this Constitution" although interpreted inter-culturally (that is, from 35 possible ways).
In addition, it states that "the original indigenous peasant jurisdiction (if it is not peasant, it is presumed that the rules will be different) will decide in final form; its decisions may not be reviewed by the ordinary jurisdiction (this is without revision, or appeal. And if the decisions have to do with subjects of other nations, what the response is?
Go hell then! Referring to the "fundamental rights" that contains the Constitution since its scope would only be granted or interpreted by the original jurisdiction indigenous peasant (with 35 possible different views).
To make things worse, the resolutions of the jurisdictions originating indigenous peasant, will be "executed in directly". Will there be multiple police powers? How will contradictions be settled which obviously will have to appear in the interpretation of the same rules with 35 different cultural profiles?
Or will there only be an original indigenous jurisdiction … of the ethnicity of Morales… to which everyone, in his case, shall undergo?
Dear reader, I imagine that you are as amazed or astounded as I am. What it can be seen in a first analysis of the proposal from MAS, it looks like a recipe for plunge to a country multi-cultural in the deeper in the chaos and in the backlog more irremediable. And in the arbitrariness in the guise of legality. This is serious. At best is what it is intended… But now that the Venezuelans themselves are encouraged to reject similar proposals from Chávez, the scenario has changed… dramatically.
Emilio J. Cárdenas
Former Ambassador of Argentina to the United Nations.
It is evident that Evo Morales, along with his godfathers and ideologists-Álvaro García Linera, Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro - has been trying to impose on all the Bolivians a new Constitution that, as we will prove, is a really strange collection of what it looks like a series of silly authentic juridical things. Beyond the good intentions that might probably be presumed.
Bringing Bolivia to the very doors of the precipice which results in violence (without hesitating a moment) Morales did approve illegally (that is, without having to agree with most of the two thirds of constituents, which require both the current Constitution, as well as the "Call Act" to the Constituent Assembly), a new draft of the Constitution for his suffering country.It did session abruptly on the inside of a military barracks in the city of Sucre (the worst scenario for a reform of social pact of any country facilitated by military lured openly with the cheques provided by President Chávez), without the presence of constituents of the opposition, and provoking in the vicinity of barracks several cowardly deaths (when in a scuffle against citizens of Sucre who were at the obvious maneuver by misleading, they were repressed, as if they were animals)
Oh, what a surprise! or "hocus-pocus, here is the new Constitution".
What unusual is that-after more than a year long session-nobody knew the full text of the Constitution that President Morales was to impose on the Bolivian population, suddenly, between roosters awaking and midnight, "it appeared" suddenly to be approved-at full speed-by representatives from the MAS (and two alternate members of the opposition which were ostensibly "bribed", this is bribed from power) on tables
The aforementioned ugly episode deserves to be included in the pages of "Guinness Book of Records", as the most shameful constitutional experience of history.
None of real Autonomies.
The result of these (and having also tried to hide the "Autonomies" that seek departments of the "Crescent moon" from the east of the country, the most working and contributing, after a referendum that will confirm in a transparent manner, convened by a proud Mr. Morales, which has now been ignored) is a situation of tension that can lead to disaster and the physical confrontation among brothers.
And I say among brothers, because it was assumed that all citizens are Bolivian, concept that always evoked a society clearly multi-ethnic, in which all together lived until not long ago-in peace, beyond their multiple nationalities. As it happens, without major difficulties in many other places around the world.
But President Morales and his mentor, the Vice-President Álvaro García Linera have been sowing-visible and constantly-hatred and resentment from power, using, unfairly, the machinery of the State.
A genuine "organized chaos", and some "proofs" as samples
They say that "for a sample a proof shows enough". Here are some proofs which contain the proposed new Constitution for Bolivia that propel President Morales, President Chávez and President Castro, in joint operation. They are either for laughing … or crying.
You, reader will judge, with your own approach, if they are, whether or not, "reasonable".
1. Definition of the State:
According to the Article 1 of the proposed new constitution drafted by the "specialist" from MAS (including the Cubans): "Bolivia is a unitary state, social multinational Community law, free, Autonomous Community and decentralized, independent, sovereign, democratic and intercultural education. It is based on the plurality and in the political pluralism, economic, legal, cultural and linguistic, within the process of integration of the country ".
Amazing puzzle, that-among other profound contradictions-suggests that, having legal pluralism, the rules will be different for each "nation", which is presumably the idea, although shine unusual. And chaotic. But, moreover, how can they have a unitary state and with multinational rights at the same time; or unitary, at once, autonomous and decentralized. What is economic pluralism? How will it be applied? And what about the legal? Will the rights of each other be different? Besides, will the rights of each other be different from others? Also, their civil and political freedoms?
What mammoth disaster of drafting and what horrible confusion of notions!
2. Languages:
For the “Article 5 of the proposed new Constitution designed by MAS,” the official languages of the State are Spanish and all the languages of indigenous nations" (which are 35).
Can you imagine? Dear reader, what will the Official Gazette be tomorrow? And the contractual and statutory texts!! Notable. One fate of endless encyclopedia, but daily.
3 Moral and ethical principles:
According to the Article 8 ° of the new proposed Constitution proposed by MAS, "the State assumes as an ethical principle-moral: ama qhilla, ama llulla, ama suwa ", which in Spanish apparently (does not explain in which of the 35 official languages these principles are set out, nor to which of the ethnic groups are, what makes suspect that they are aimaras) want to say: don’t be lazy, don't be aliar, don’t be a thief. Raper, perhaps, it does not matter. Killer, either. Swindler, possibly much less.
Of the Ten Commandments of Mount Sinai, to the three moral and ethical principles proposed, there is a whole abyss. And, let alone, to the human rights recognized in the community of nations, or on civil liberties and policies that are the traditional of modern democracies.
What madness, like any other. But what it is serious is that the aforesaid principles are not limited to the nation to which surely belongs, but that they intend to impose on the other 34 cultures presumed to be different. Against any logical solution, of course, as everything that makes Morales, who believes himself anointed as "authority" undisputed of all, without any limit, and without having to listen to any minority, never and ever.
4. Presidential periods.
Here is the real "mother of species". This is without doubt, the real reason for the unusual reform that Morales and García Linera seek.
Indeed, the draft of the new constitution, in its Article 166, said: "The term of office of the president and the vice-president of the State is five years, and may be re-elected consecutively".
For ever and ever, accordingly. Without any temporary limit. And without recourse to "switch" as it should be the senior level between husband and wife, to conceal the real eternity of mandates.
As it also happened in Venezuela and Ecuador. Once again, it follows the “Bolivarian model. Of the democratic alternation, if you have seen, I do not agree. In contrast, with open totalitarianism.
5. The chaos "indigenous-peasant".
Morales does not feel part of the Judeo-Christian. It is clear. Rather, the hate. He only accepts the British component of football, for which he has a passion.
However, it is not surprising that Articles 199 and 200 allow that "the nations and peasants will exercise their jurisdictional functions and competition through their authorities and apply their principles, cultural values, standards and procedures". to all? Only to them?
This is the chaos, in its more pure legal version. Despite that it also says: "The original indigenous jurisdiction shall respect fundamental rights established in this Constitution" although interpreted inter-culturally (that is, from 35 possible ways).
In addition, it states that "the original indigenous peasant jurisdiction (if it is not peasant, it is presumed that the rules will be different) will decide in final form; its decisions may not be reviewed by the ordinary jurisdiction (this is without revision, or appeal. And if the decisions have to do with subjects of other nations, what the response is?
Go hell then! Referring to the "fundamental rights" that contains the Constitution since its scope would only be granted or interpreted by the original jurisdiction indigenous peasant (with 35 possible different views).
To make things worse, the resolutions of the jurisdictions originating indigenous peasant, will be "executed in directly". Will there be multiple police powers? How will contradictions be settled which obviously will have to appear in the interpretation of the same rules with 35 different cultural profiles?
Or will there only be an original indigenous jurisdiction … of the ethnicity of Morales… to which everyone, in his case, shall undergo?
Dear reader, I imagine that you are as amazed or astounded as I am. What it can be seen in a first analysis of the proposal from MAS, it looks like a recipe for plunge to a country multi-cultural in the deeper in the chaos and in the backlog more irremediable. And in the arbitrariness in the guise of legality. This is serious. At best is what it is intended… But now that the Venezuelans themselves are encouraged to reject similar proposals from Chávez, the scenario has changed… dramatically.
Emilio J. Cárdenas
Former Ambassador of Argentina to the United Nations.
The Indigenous towns count for the department
Between the introduced modifications to the statutes of the department of Santa Cruz approved at large last Wednesday, the most outstanding were obtained by the four indigenous representatives in the Provisional Autonomic Assembly. The representatives sent by the towns of Guarayo, Chiquitano, Ayoreo and Guarani achieved that the statute contain the acknowledgment of the 169 Agreement of the International Organization of Work and the Universal Declaration of Rights of the Indigenous Towns of the American States Organization.
With this, they reassure themselves the right to self-government in the local scope, the recognition of its Institutes and the designation of its authorities by uses and customs.
The four representatives didn’t pass by on anything and demanded that the term “Originary” be changed to native of the department, since they only recognize themselves as indigenous. Other than that, they managed to achieve that the statute recognize the existence of another indigenous town in the department, the Moxenos from Ichilo, which will be incorporated in a direct way to the Department Legislative Assembly.
They also achieved at least one of the secretaries (equally to the ministries in the departments legislative) be exclusively for the dealing of there issues. Also, the statute assures that their governments and organizations be born with resources for its administration through the transfer of 10% of department royalties.
Another of its rein vindications achieved is that the five native tongues be recognized as official by the department, so from now on, all the existing documents emended by the department government will have to be translated to guarayo, guarani, chiquitano, ayoreo and moxeno.
Even though several of these points were not in the statute approved at large, they were approved by unanimity by the assembly people.
With this, they reassure themselves the right to self-government in the local scope, the recognition of its Institutes and the designation of its authorities by uses and customs.
The four representatives didn’t pass by on anything and demanded that the term “Originary” be changed to native of the department, since they only recognize themselves as indigenous. Other than that, they managed to achieve that the statute recognize the existence of another indigenous town in the department, the Moxenos from Ichilo, which will be incorporated in a direct way to the Department Legislative Assembly.
They also achieved at least one of the secretaries (equally to the ministries in the departments legislative) be exclusively for the dealing of there issues. Also, the statute assures that their governments and organizations be born with resources for its administration through the transfer of 10% of department royalties.
Another of its rein vindications achieved is that the five native tongues be recognized as official by the department, so from now on, all the existing documents emended by the department government will have to be translated to guarayo, guarani, chiquitano, ayoreo and moxeno.
Even though several of these points were not in the statute approved at large, they were approved by unanimity by the assembly people.
Statute. Santa Cruz begins to legislate
Santa Cruz already has a birth certificate as an autonomous department. The Provisional Assembly carried out a detailed approval of The Statute of Autonomy of the Department of Santa Cruz. After 35 hours and nine minutes of debate. It’s now the turn of the Commission of Concordance to make the necessary corrections and adjustments in order to put it under the consideration of the assemblymen in a public event to be held on Saturday at 10. There in “El Parque Urbano” (Urban Park) the autonomous government will begin to have its full expression.
A resolution from the statute commands that the Department Council become a Legislative Assembly in order to start receiving department competences and above all, prepare the legal and institutional framework on which the new system will develop, explained Delmar Mendez, about the basis of the first transitory resolution.
The session was incessant. In the morning the assemblymen showed clear signs of tiredness after 24 hours of debate, and they still had 50 sections left to approve. However, instead of approving them without a detailed observation, the discussions became longer and more intense. The composition of members in The Provisional Autonomous Assembly enriched the discussion and made each sector be sure that the statute didn’t affect their interests. Congressmen, constituents, city council chairmen, and department councilmen, thoroughly examined each section and introduced reforms of form and content in the document that fully approved and published by El Deber.
Even though many of the section were sanctioned at first instance, the controversial sections took between 30 and two hours in being approved, and many of these had to be sent to the Settlement Commission, which returned them to plenary at the end of the session. In average, each section took around ten minutes in being approved.
This dynamic was imposed until concluding the sections that hadn’t been adjourned. Nevertheless, when the approval of the transitory resolution that granted the Department Council to become The Legislative Assembly began, the discussion began to heat up. Congressman Antonio Franco demanded that The Provisional Assembly take over that power, that’s when Councilman Delmar Mendez reminded him that this determination had been taken by the mentioned council in December 2006, even before the million people town meeting. An argument took place with the participation of all the sectors present, as a result, a female constituent asked for order, in order not to make the disagreements evident to the medias. It was then, when the chairmen of the city council, Oscar Vargas, pointed out that these disagreements where positive and were a clear demonstration of pluralism. The positions were laid out, and it was accepted that The Department Council be the organ to become the legislative power starting Saturday. This indicated the implied decease of the Provisional Assembly, which will end its functions this same day.
From then on, everything was party. Mendez gave start to the rejoice by thanking Juan Carlos Urenda, and no one could stop the wave of acknowledgements that included Carlos Pablo Klinsky, the team of advisers, Ruben Costas, German Antelo, and Branko Marinkovic, the thousand people that had been on strike, the constituents, and the people of Santa Cruz, God and The Virgin of Cotoca. At the end, everything resulted in a party of folk music, hugs, and the Cruceño (native of Santa Cruz) anthem. The joy and the happiness were such, that they even forgot that there were still sections to be sanctioned. When it all came to normality, new competences were introduced to the Department’s Government, regulations of social control were included; moreover, labor demands were recognized such as the minimum wage for the workers in the department, wages for teachers and indigenous rights.
In the end, the prefect gave end to the session by confessing that his excitement could only be compared to the birth of his four children. The street transformed into a big party where Marinkovic was the leader of the orchestra, “Bang the leather!!!” he ordered and a “tamborita” began to play.
While there was celebration in Santa Cruz, in La Paz, President Evo Morales assured that the autonomies promoted by the prefect and the civic committee are separatist and seek the division of the country. He also qualified the statues as illegal and warned about the possible use of the Armed Forces to preserve the unity of the country.
“The Armed Forces, the Bolivian people, are here so that the country never breaks apart” he stated.
“The project of autonomies searches for the separation of Bolivia, but the unity of the country is not a topic of discussion, there is no referendum for the unity of the country” he added.
Previously, at noon the vice-president, Alvaro Garcia Linera, affirmed that the approved statutes will only be legal within the legal framework of the New Political Constitution, and asked that they be ratified in the new referendum in order to consider them. For the first and only time, a government official admitted the legitimacy of the regions to create their statutes, but warned: “it is not legal or legitimate to try to impose it de facto, because it violates the current Constitution.” He added that the statutes were being formulated behind the backs of the majorities and reminded that Costas had been elected with the 47%, which indicated that 53% of the department was not included in the decision. The government’s position was also supported by the pro-government wing of the Congress, which judged the statutes as unconstitutional. Furthermore, the Bolivian Attorney General asked that the constitutional reforms be within the framework of the laws.
While polarization and antagonism increases, The Catholic Church, Human Rights, and The People’s Defender, The National Press Association and private employers expressed the need for an urgent dialogue. To the moment, no one seems to listen.
A resolution from the statute commands that the Department Council become a Legislative Assembly in order to start receiving department competences and above all, prepare the legal and institutional framework on which the new system will develop, explained Delmar Mendez, about the basis of the first transitory resolution.
The session was incessant. In the morning the assemblymen showed clear signs of tiredness after 24 hours of debate, and they still had 50 sections left to approve. However, instead of approving them without a detailed observation, the discussions became longer and more intense. The composition of members in The Provisional Autonomous Assembly enriched the discussion and made each sector be sure that the statute didn’t affect their interests. Congressmen, constituents, city council chairmen, and department councilmen, thoroughly examined each section and introduced reforms of form and content in the document that fully approved and published by El Deber.
Even though many of the section were sanctioned at first instance, the controversial sections took between 30 and two hours in being approved, and many of these had to be sent to the Settlement Commission, which returned them to plenary at the end of the session. In average, each section took around ten minutes in being approved.
This dynamic was imposed until concluding the sections that hadn’t been adjourned. Nevertheless, when the approval of the transitory resolution that granted the Department Council to become The Legislative Assembly began, the discussion began to heat up. Congressman Antonio Franco demanded that The Provisional Assembly take over that power, that’s when Councilman Delmar Mendez reminded him that this determination had been taken by the mentioned council in December 2006, even before the million people town meeting. An argument took place with the participation of all the sectors present, as a result, a female constituent asked for order, in order not to make the disagreements evident to the medias. It was then, when the chairmen of the city council, Oscar Vargas, pointed out that these disagreements where positive and were a clear demonstration of pluralism. The positions were laid out, and it was accepted that The Department Council be the organ to become the legislative power starting Saturday. This indicated the implied decease of the Provisional Assembly, which will end its functions this same day.
From then on, everything was party. Mendez gave start to the rejoice by thanking Juan Carlos Urenda, and no one could stop the wave of acknowledgements that included Carlos Pablo Klinsky, the team of advisers, Ruben Costas, German Antelo, and Branko Marinkovic, the thousand people that had been on strike, the constituents, and the people of Santa Cruz, God and The Virgin of Cotoca. At the end, everything resulted in a party of folk music, hugs, and the Cruceño (native of Santa Cruz) anthem. The joy and the happiness were such, that they even forgot that there were still sections to be sanctioned. When it all came to normality, new competences were introduced to the Department’s Government, regulations of social control were included; moreover, labor demands were recognized such as the minimum wage for the workers in the department, wages for teachers and indigenous rights.
In the end, the prefect gave end to the session by confessing that his excitement could only be compared to the birth of his four children. The street transformed into a big party where Marinkovic was the leader of the orchestra, “Bang the leather!!!” he ordered and a “tamborita” began to play.
While there was celebration in Santa Cruz, in La Paz, President Evo Morales assured that the autonomies promoted by the prefect and the civic committee are separatist and seek the division of the country. He also qualified the statues as illegal and warned about the possible use of the Armed Forces to preserve the unity of the country.
“The Armed Forces, the Bolivian people, are here so that the country never breaks apart” he stated.
“The project of autonomies searches for the separation of Bolivia, but the unity of the country is not a topic of discussion, there is no referendum for the unity of the country” he added.
Previously, at noon the vice-president, Alvaro Garcia Linera, affirmed that the approved statutes will only be legal within the legal framework of the New Political Constitution, and asked that they be ratified in the new referendum in order to consider them. For the first and only time, a government official admitted the legitimacy of the regions to create their statutes, but warned: “it is not legal or legitimate to try to impose it de facto, because it violates the current Constitution.” He added that the statutes were being formulated behind the backs of the majorities and reminded that Costas had been elected with the 47%, which indicated that 53% of the department was not included in the decision. The government’s position was also supported by the pro-government wing of the Congress, which judged the statutes as unconstitutional. Furthermore, the Bolivian Attorney General asked that the constitutional reforms be within the framework of the laws.
While polarization and antagonism increases, The Catholic Church, Human Rights, and The People’s Defender, The National Press Association and private employers expressed the need for an urgent dialogue. To the moment, no one seems to listen.
The Autonomous Statute establishes a joint economy for all
The Statute of the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz (SADSC) approved on December 13, 2007 in the Provisional Autonomous Assembly of the Department of Santa Cruz of the Bolivia is based on a model of joint economy for all where the distribution of the resources is meant to improve the quality of life of the poor and to promote the economical development of the needy regions. It establishes that the Departmental Government only intervenes as regulator of the economical activity and that the private sector, as the most important economic generating agent of employment, grants opportunities of investment and development to the micro, small and big investors of the region.
The section 111 of the Statute of the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz (SADSC) establishes that not only the already assigned resources to the department by the Political Constitution of the Bolivian (PCB), but also the following ones should be considered as part of the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz:
The transfers of resources of the General Treasure of the Nation for the administration of the competitions transferred in the Law and the EDASC.
The taxes raised within the department, rates and contributions approved by the Legislative Departmental Assembly.
Profit and Revenues from the administration of the own patrimony.
Donations and legacies.
Resources of the International Cooperation.
The income that the new Departmental Government could generate is important for its consolidation as a politically and administratively decentralized Department.
The transfers of the resources of the GTN (General Treasure of the Nation), according to the established in the Autonomous Statute should be analyzed by the Central Government and the new Departmental Government. A commission by members of both parties should be established for granting the effective transfer.
The Departmental Government will be entitled to obtain resources from neighbor regions and international cooperation, to invest the same ones and to obtain revenues of the forth mentioned investments so they are redistribute equitably.
On the private property
The section 2 of the project of Statute of the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz (SADCE) approved on December 13, 2007 in the Provisional Autonomous Assembly of the Department of Santa Cruz, establishes that the following should be considered among the rights and fundamental freedoms of the persons in the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz:
Citizens have the right to private, individual property and collective one, provided that it fulfills a social function.
Citizens have the right to work and to devote themselves to the trade, the industry or to any lawful activity as long as it doesn’t harm or endanger the collective well-being.
Given the fact that the cooperative system is a historical conquest of the people from Santa Cruz (cruceños), the Autonomous Statute will stimulate, encourage, warranty and regulate the functioning of the same one in the department. It is necessary to remember that due to the disregards of the National State, the people from Santa Cruz (cruceños) joined efforts through private groups to provide themselves with public services such as electricity, water and telecommunications.
The Department of Santa Cruz has demonstrated that it has turned into the most forceful region of the country because of its private, solid, job generating initiative. The Internal Regional Gross Product (IRGP) represents the 31 % of the National Gross Product (NGP). Furthermore, the 42 % of the formal employment is generated by its private sector. Santa Cruz provides to the National Treasure with 25 % of the currencies that enter to the country for concept of exports.
The managerial sector celebrates that the Autonomous Statute guarantees the right to the owning of private property of the people from Santa Cruz (cruceños). The empirical international evidence has demonstrated that with high degrees of economic freedom, it is possible to reach high levels of economic development. It means that by respecting the Constitutional State and the private property, it is possible to warranty a successful development of a society.
The section 111 of the Statute of the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz (SADSC) establishes that not only the already assigned resources to the department by the Political Constitution of the Bolivian (PCB), but also the following ones should be considered as part of the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz:
The transfers of resources of the General Treasure of the Nation for the administration of the competitions transferred in the Law and the EDASC.
The taxes raised within the department, rates and contributions approved by the Legislative Departmental Assembly.
Profit and Revenues from the administration of the own patrimony.
Donations and legacies.
Resources of the International Cooperation.
The income that the new Departmental Government could generate is important for its consolidation as a politically and administratively decentralized Department.
The transfers of the resources of the GTN (General Treasure of the Nation), according to the established in the Autonomous Statute should be analyzed by the Central Government and the new Departmental Government. A commission by members of both parties should be established for granting the effective transfer.
The Departmental Government will be entitled to obtain resources from neighbor regions and international cooperation, to invest the same ones and to obtain revenues of the forth mentioned investments so they are redistribute equitably.
On the private property
The section 2 of the project of Statute of the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz (SADCE) approved on December 13, 2007 in the Provisional Autonomous Assembly of the Department of Santa Cruz, establishes that the following should be considered among the rights and fundamental freedoms of the persons in the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz:
Citizens have the right to private, individual property and collective one, provided that it fulfills a social function.
Citizens have the right to work and to devote themselves to the trade, the industry or to any lawful activity as long as it doesn’t harm or endanger the collective well-being.
Given the fact that the cooperative system is a historical conquest of the people from Santa Cruz (cruceños), the Autonomous Statute will stimulate, encourage, warranty and regulate the functioning of the same one in the department. It is necessary to remember that due to the disregards of the National State, the people from Santa Cruz (cruceños) joined efforts through private groups to provide themselves with public services such as electricity, water and telecommunications.
The Department of Santa Cruz has demonstrated that it has turned into the most forceful region of the country because of its private, solid, job generating initiative. The Internal Regional Gross Product (IRGP) represents the 31 % of the National Gross Product (NGP). Furthermore, the 42 % of the formal employment is generated by its private sector. Santa Cruz provides to the National Treasure with 25 % of the currencies that enter to the country for concept of exports.
The managerial sector celebrates that the Autonomous Statute guarantees the right to the owning of private property of the people from Santa Cruz (cruceños). The empirical international evidence has demonstrated that with high degrees of economic freedom, it is possible to reach high levels of economic development. It means that by respecting the Constitutional State and the private property, it is possible to warranty a successful development of a society.
OAS: Press Release - The Envoy of the Secretary General of OAS makes a visit to the Republic of Bolivia
On December 13TH, Dr. Raul Aleonada Sempé, as envoy of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Manual Insulza began a visit to the Republic of Bolivia. Dr. Aleonada will carry on meetings with the Bolivian authorities to coordinate the OAS´ electoral observation conducted for the Referendum in the constitutional process in Bolivia.
The visit will allow Dr. Aleonada to be internalized of the situation prevailing in Bolivia, while conveying the support of the OAS General Secretariat to the Bolivian democratic process, being made available to cooperate; if it results convenient, so that the differences that exist can be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, within the framework of respect for free expression of popular will.
The Bolivian government has decided to carry out a complex process of change that was pending. It is a major challenge, in which is played in large extent, the future of the country. This challenge requires effort, patriotism and democratic spirit of the Bolivian people.
The visit will allow Dr. Aleonada to be internalized of the situation prevailing in Bolivia, while conveying the support of the OAS General Secretariat to the Bolivian democratic process, being made available to cooperate; if it results convenient, so that the differences that exist can be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, within the framework of respect for free expression of popular will.
The Bolivian government has decided to carry out a complex process of change that was pending. It is a major challenge, in which is played in large extent, the future of the country. This challenge requires effort, patriotism and democratic spirit of the Bolivian people.
jueves, 13 de diciembre de 2007
Bolivia, statute of autonomy of Santa Cruz approved in detail by 2/3
After two days of continuous session, the Provisional Autonomic Assembly of Santa Cruz, comprising parliamentarians, constituents, departmental counselors, municipal and indigenous representatives, adopted the Statute of Autonomy in stages at large and in detail.
The vote of the 155 articles was conducted by 2/3, with unanimity in a lot of them. The approval in detail concluded at 19:30 in the midst of a climate of happiness which spread to the hunger strikers in outside, who followed the voting process through the loudspeakers placed in front of the Prefectural Palace where the meeting was conducted.
As of this moment, the Statute will go to the Commission of consistency and style, so that it can be adopted on Saturday at 10:00 am in the process of revision, the final stage of the voting process. That day, there will be a meeting of honor in which they will deliver the Autonomic Statute to the Prefect of the Department, who then will present it to the people of Santa Cruz in an massive act.
The president of the Provisional Autonomic Assembly, Carlos Pablo Klinsky, noted that the statute "is the birth certificate of the New Bolivia. It is the instrument for carrying out the mandate of the iniyial Referendum on July 2, 2006."
"Although the government tried to stop us with troop mobilizations and rumors of a State of Siege, democracy won over fear," he said.
The closing ceremony of the meeting was attended by the leader of Santa Cruz historic struggles Carlos Valverde Barbery, who noted that "The Statute will be defended by the people, who willenforce it."
Also present was the president of the Committee Pro Santa Cruz, Branko Marinkovic, who appreciated the work done by members of the Provisional Autonomic Assembly, citing a phrase from Simon Bolivar: "The morality and not force are the columns of laws ".
The prefect of the Department, Ruben Costas, was hailed as "governor" at the end of the meeting. Pointing to a portrait of the warlord federalist Andres Ibanez who was presiding over the chamber, Costas told the assembly that "You engraved a dream in this statute. And now we must enforce it."
The Statute of Autonomy of Santa Cruz provides, among other things, "the desire to strengthen the unity of the Bolivian State, the creation of a Departmental Legislative Assembly, the protection of indigenous rights, the protection of press freedom and social control on the institutions of the department.
Leader of the Bolivian pro-autonomy movement Branko Marincovic: "Santa Cruz is a free land and we will show true democracy"
While in the main square of Oruro, the social sectors and miners gather tomonitor the meeting of the Constituent Assembly, authorities from Santa Cruz ratified disobedience before this text and argued that beginning next week the socialized Autonomy Statute will be presented to the prefect to call a referendum to make it legitimate.
The rejection not only took place in the capital of Santa Cruz, the regions of Pando, Beni, Cochabamba and Tarija, Chuquisaca, said that as of Monday the actions against the adoption of the text, imposed by the government (MAS), will initiate and carry forward a campaign to ignore the amendments to the Constitution, given that the opposition was excluded, and since it was approved without two-thirds of votes. Also, that the Constitution has been approved at large in the midst of a military precinct in Chuquisaca.
Among the items qualified as controversial is the reelection of the President, article that was severely criticized by the opposition, since it ensured perpetuity Evo Morales in power.
The president of the Committee Pro Santa Cruz, Branko Marinkovic, in the midst of his fourth day of hunger strike, appealed to all citizens of Santa Cruz, and asked them to this extreme measure, as a symbol of the resounding rejection of constitution 'masista'.
"We are not going to abide by this constitution made by the MAS, since that constitution was born dead, all Bolivians, all patriots, we convened that from tomorrow (today) we will increase the strike and defend autonomy" the civic president urged.
In addition, he argued that this struggle is clear and that they have no fear, because the constitution is stained with blood and through the creation of new autonomous status, will be demonstrated the real Bolivia, and not the one that some people want to create among repression and confrontation.
Also, he remembered that in the battle of Viru Viru, the people of Santa Cruz showed they will always defend their department, as did Chuquisaca, where three people were killed in defense of their ideals.
Regarding the celebration that the President intends to make, he said that the country would see only the celebration of the death of democracy in Bolivia, and unlike Santa Cruz, where they will celebrate freedom.
"The autonomy is the only way, to those areas are still living imprisoned, we will be here to give them the freedom that this government does not want to give them," said Marinkovic.
Authorities from Santa Cruz argued that the statute being written is the only hope for Santa Cruz, and that other departments will soon realize how important it is to be autonomous. The hunger strike will not cease and they hope that from today it will increase.
The rejection not only took place in the capital of Santa Cruz, the regions of Pando, Beni, Cochabamba and Tarija, Chuquisaca, said that as of Monday the actions against the adoption of the text, imposed by the government (MAS), will initiate and carry forward a campaign to ignore the amendments to the Constitution, given that the opposition was excluded, and since it was approved without two-thirds of votes. Also, that the Constitution has been approved at large in the midst of a military precinct in Chuquisaca.
Among the items qualified as controversial is the reelection of the President, article that was severely criticized by the opposition, since it ensured perpetuity Evo Morales in power.
The president of the Committee Pro Santa Cruz, Branko Marinkovic, in the midst of his fourth day of hunger strike, appealed to all citizens of Santa Cruz, and asked them to this extreme measure, as a symbol of the resounding rejection of constitution 'masista'.
"We are not going to abide by this constitution made by the MAS, since that constitution was born dead, all Bolivians, all patriots, we convened that from tomorrow (today) we will increase the strike and defend autonomy" the civic president urged.
In addition, he argued that this struggle is clear and that they have no fear, because the constitution is stained with blood and through the creation of new autonomous status, will be demonstrated the real Bolivia, and not the one that some people want to create among repression and confrontation.
Also, he remembered that in the battle of Viru Viru, the people of Santa Cruz showed they will always defend their department, as did Chuquisaca, where three people were killed in defense of their ideals.
Regarding the celebration that the President intends to make, he said that the country would see only the celebration of the death of democracy in Bolivia, and unlike Santa Cruz, where they will celebrate freedom.
"The autonomy is the only way, to those areas are still living imprisoned, we will be here to give them the freedom that this government does not want to give them," said Marinkovic.
Authorities from Santa Cruz argued that the statute being written is the only hope for Santa Cruz, and that other departments will soon realize how important it is to be autonomous. The hunger strike will not cease and they hope that from today it will increase.
Bolivia, Antelo stresses democratic sense of the Statute of Autonomy
Former civic president who led the "Rally of the Million" in Santa Cruz, stresses democratic, inclusive and progressive Statute of Autonomy
Strengthening the unity of Bolivia through respect for individual rights and fundamental freedoms of people within a decentralized system with political, administrative and financial responsibilities, ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as promoting the cultures, the languages, customs and traditions of indigenous peoples from the region, were highlighted by German Antelo, a former president of the Committee Pro Santa Cruz, at the conclusion of the adoption of the 155 articles of the autonomous status by the Provisional Autonomic Assembly.
"We must promote the needed changes in the country to improve relations between the state and the regions, reduce the levels of poverty and unemployment, improve the quality of education, security, justice and health, end corruption and establish an effective control of governance on the part of civil society. That is what we are trying to achieve with the new statute", Antelo, after completion of the meeting of the assembly.
"We have followed all the steps that the law and democracy demand," said Antelo. He reminded that petition of signatures, consensus building, demonstrations and massive rallies that happened in the process of modernization of the state, have achieved a referendum, which dictated the election of the country's prefects and now the autonomous statute.
The autonomist leader who carried forward the concentrations of June 28, 2006, prior to the referendum on autonomy on 2 July, remined that the new regime with a 72% approval and the millions of people rallied on December 15 of the same year, mandated that if the government would approve a constitution without a two-thirds consensus (which has happened), then the Provisional Autonomic Assembly would have to draft the statute that governs the destinies of the department.
After meeting for more than 24 hours, the Provisional Autonomic Assembly, made up of parliamentarians, departmental directors, presidents of 56 municipal councils and representatives of the races of eastern Bolivia, completed the adoption of the statute that will norm the autonomous government of Santa Cruz after a departmental referendum ratification.
German Antelo always maintained that the actions of the civic movement were labeled as regionalist, but now what they are doing is maintaining the same principles of defending freedom and the rule of law.
He recalled that this process of struggle to achieve a genuine deepening of democracy has for many years seeked a constitutional reform that establishes administrative decentralization within the unitary system, where regions can elect their authorities, manage and monitore with freedom their resources and dictate its own rules of operation for those items that are not exclusive powers of the State National.
He argued that the civic movement met in the city of Oruro, on 8 and 9 February 2004, where they issued a paper that expressed the belief that Departmental Autonomies are a valuable alternative to modernize the state. Then, it was defined that the re-establishment of the country should focus on:
A) Respect for the fundamental rights of individuals.
B) Systems of departmental autonomies, expressed as autonomic statutes framed in the new Constitution, drafted and approved by the department, for the establishment of solid departmental governments, incorporating responsibilities over decision-making processes and administration of public affairs, plurality and respect to the provinces, municipalities and communities.
C) Respect for the asymmetric nature of the process of empowerment of the country through the establishment of alternative routes, fast and slow transfer of competencies that require full autonomy regime.
D) National agreement on the powers to be held by the central government, government departments and municipal governments, following the principle of subsidiarity.
With this background, in August 2004, eight civic committees of Bolivia met again in Santa Cruz, in order to continue the process for requesting departmental autonomies. They drew a joint struggle for the achievement of deepening democracy and the search for greater equity amongst Bolivians, creating a new republic, planned and rebuilt from the departments.
Finally on 18 and August 19, 2004 was submitted a draft for Autonomous Departments with Financial, Constitutional and Historic sense; which was approved by all eight committees.
After that came the rallies, signatures collections and a national referendum, which was fought by the elected prefects who mobilized the people to defend freedom, and where four regions decided to become autonomous. The process continues now with the approval of the statutes.
Strengthening the unity of Bolivia through respect for individual rights and fundamental freedoms of people within a decentralized system with political, administrative and financial responsibilities, ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as promoting the cultures, the languages, customs and traditions of indigenous peoples from the region, were highlighted by German Antelo, a former president of the Committee Pro Santa Cruz, at the conclusion of the adoption of the 155 articles of the autonomous status by the Provisional Autonomic Assembly.
"We must promote the needed changes in the country to improve relations between the state and the regions, reduce the levels of poverty and unemployment, improve the quality of education, security, justice and health, end corruption and establish an effective control of governance on the part of civil society. That is what we are trying to achieve with the new statute", Antelo, after completion of the meeting of the assembly.
"We have followed all the steps that the law and democracy demand," said Antelo. He reminded that petition of signatures, consensus building, demonstrations and massive rallies that happened in the process of modernization of the state, have achieved a referendum, which dictated the election of the country's prefects and now the autonomous statute.
The autonomist leader who carried forward the concentrations of June 28, 2006, prior to the referendum on autonomy on 2 July, remined that the new regime with a 72% approval and the millions of people rallied on December 15 of the same year, mandated that if the government would approve a constitution without a two-thirds consensus (which has happened), then the Provisional Autonomic Assembly would have to draft the statute that governs the destinies of the department.
After meeting for more than 24 hours, the Provisional Autonomic Assembly, made up of parliamentarians, departmental directors, presidents of 56 municipal councils and representatives of the races of eastern Bolivia, completed the adoption of the statute that will norm the autonomous government of Santa Cruz after a departmental referendum ratification.
German Antelo always maintained that the actions of the civic movement were labeled as regionalist, but now what they are doing is maintaining the same principles of defending freedom and the rule of law.
He recalled that this process of struggle to achieve a genuine deepening of democracy has for many years seeked a constitutional reform that establishes administrative decentralization within the unitary system, where regions can elect their authorities, manage and monitore with freedom their resources and dictate its own rules of operation for those items that are not exclusive powers of the State National.
He argued that the civic movement met in the city of Oruro, on 8 and 9 February 2004, where they issued a paper that expressed the belief that Departmental Autonomies are a valuable alternative to modernize the state. Then, it was defined that the re-establishment of the country should focus on:
A) Respect for the fundamental rights of individuals.
B) Systems of departmental autonomies, expressed as autonomic statutes framed in the new Constitution, drafted and approved by the department, for the establishment of solid departmental governments, incorporating responsibilities over decision-making processes and administration of public affairs, plurality and respect to the provinces, municipalities and communities.
C) Respect for the asymmetric nature of the process of empowerment of the country through the establishment of alternative routes, fast and slow transfer of competencies that require full autonomy regime.
D) National agreement on the powers to be held by the central government, government departments and municipal governments, following the principle of subsidiarity.
With this background, in August 2004, eight civic committees of Bolivia met again in Santa Cruz, in order to continue the process for requesting departmental autonomies. They drew a joint struggle for the achievement of deepening democracy and the search for greater equity amongst Bolivians, creating a new republic, planned and rebuilt from the departments.
Finally on 18 and August 19, 2004 was submitted a draft for Autonomous Departments with Financial, Constitutional and Historic sense; which was approved by all eight committees.
After that came the rallies, signatures collections and a national referendum, which was fought by the elected prefects who mobilized the people to defend freedom, and where four regions decided to become autonomous. The process continues now with the approval of the statutes.
Autonomic Statutes recognizes the National State and its laws
It is being established in Bolivia the first Autonomic Statute that acknowledges the State and its laws, as an alternative to Evo Morales constitution project.
The new norm will create an autonomous department government, with responsibilities on basic services, land, justice, security, as part of Bolivia, the State Constitution and national standards.
"Santa Cruz becomes an Autonomous Department, as an expression of historical identity, democratic and autonomous believes, and in exercise of their right to departmental autonomy, strengthening the unity of the Republic of Bolivia, and the bonds of brotherhood among all Bolivians", that says the first article of the Autonomic Statute approved yesterday in a historic meeting at the Prefectural Palace; at the foot of Bolivar, Sucre, Andres Ibanez, the Virgin of Cotoca and about 500 strikers who expect, between feelings of fear and challenge that anytime the government of Evo Morales could decreed a State of Siege.
The Autonomic Statute came after three town meetings and the disruption of the constitutional order by the National Constituent Assembly, which did not respect the citizens vote for departmental autonomy expressed in the referendum of July 2, 2006 and which produced a State Constitution without consensus, said the Prefect of the department, Ruben Costas.
The statute has 155 articles and makes the Prefect a Governor and his current Council a Departmental Legislative Assembly, with powers on basic services, land, public security, justice, electoral system, administrative control, while recognizing the existence of national laws.
The document prepared by the advisory team of the Prefecture, headed by the lawyer Juan Carlos Urenda, bases each article with know-how from legislation of Spain where there are autonomous governments, or Federal States as Brazil and intermediate countries like Italy, which without breaking the national legal order, created self governments in different regions of their countries.
It was released for consideration by representatives of the Provisional Autonomic Assembly made up of some 120 people, all elected officials, including congressmen, presidents of Municipal Councils, Departmental Directors, constituents and representatives of four indigenous groups.
"They have given us the right and duty to take our destiny, because of the irregularities and the mortal blow to democracy and the breakdown of the constitutional order," said the Prefect Ruben Costas at the opening day, before the representatives adopted unanimously the bases for the Statute.
The chairman of the City Council, Oscar Vargas, the chairman of the Departmental Council, Juan Carlos Parada and the chairman of the Provisional Autonomic Assembly, Carlos Pablo Klinsky came to the main square to show the Statute and sing Santa Cruz anthem. Shortly after they began to review it in detail, phase that was completed this morning. At 22.30 some people began distributing masks and the Youth Union Cruceñista made a fence around the Assembly on rumors of a State of Siege.
HERE COMES THE REFERENDUM
The first step is the approval of the Autonomic Statute, the second is the collection of 70 thousand signatures equal to 8 percent of the voters registration list for Santa Cruz to give the Prefect of the Department, Ruben Costas, the mandate to call a referendum. Advisers, Juan Carlos Urenda and Javier Hage, explained that they are not breaking the legal system because the State Constitution provides that the people deliberates and governs through their representatives, the Constituent Assembly and the referendum. Also part of the Referendum Act passed during the government of Carlos Mesa empowers the elected Prefect to convene a Referendum in his department, jumping the National Congress, as a regional consultation that can not be sued for unlawful.
POINT OF VIEW
"Before we lacked courage and bravery," said Carlos Valverde B., Founder of the Youth Union, "This should have been done long ago, in my time we did not have the courage to do so. I am now very pleased that we are autonomous, it is the law that give us the cabildos andReferendum. It means that at last we can determine our own destiny, that never again they will take away our resourses, such as the IDH (Oil Tax). All taxes will stay in the department, so that never again we will live under a remote control. N now we will determine our own destiny and if they want to attack us there is a people who expects armed even with sticks or hot water"
The new norm will create an autonomous department government, with responsibilities on basic services, land, justice, security, as part of Bolivia, the State Constitution and national standards.
"Santa Cruz becomes an Autonomous Department, as an expression of historical identity, democratic and autonomous believes, and in exercise of their right to departmental autonomy, strengthening the unity of the Republic of Bolivia, and the bonds of brotherhood among all Bolivians", that says the first article of the Autonomic Statute approved yesterday in a historic meeting at the Prefectural Palace; at the foot of Bolivar, Sucre, Andres Ibanez, the Virgin of Cotoca and about 500 strikers who expect, between feelings of fear and challenge that anytime the government of Evo Morales could decreed a State of Siege.
The Autonomic Statute came after three town meetings and the disruption of the constitutional order by the National Constituent Assembly, which did not respect the citizens vote for departmental autonomy expressed in the referendum of July 2, 2006 and which produced a State Constitution without consensus, said the Prefect of the department, Ruben Costas.
The statute has 155 articles and makes the Prefect a Governor and his current Council a Departmental Legislative Assembly, with powers on basic services, land, public security, justice, electoral system, administrative control, while recognizing the existence of national laws.
The document prepared by the advisory team of the Prefecture, headed by the lawyer Juan Carlos Urenda, bases each article with know-how from legislation of Spain where there are autonomous governments, or Federal States as Brazil and intermediate countries like Italy, which without breaking the national legal order, created self governments in different regions of their countries.
It was released for consideration by representatives of the Provisional Autonomic Assembly made up of some 120 people, all elected officials, including congressmen, presidents of Municipal Councils, Departmental Directors, constituents and representatives of four indigenous groups.
"They have given us the right and duty to take our destiny, because of the irregularities and the mortal blow to democracy and the breakdown of the constitutional order," said the Prefect Ruben Costas at the opening day, before the representatives adopted unanimously the bases for the Statute.
The chairman of the City Council, Oscar Vargas, the chairman of the Departmental Council, Juan Carlos Parada and the chairman of the Provisional Autonomic Assembly, Carlos Pablo Klinsky came to the main square to show the Statute and sing Santa Cruz anthem. Shortly after they began to review it in detail, phase that was completed this morning. At 22.30 some people began distributing masks and the Youth Union Cruceñista made a fence around the Assembly on rumors of a State of Siege.
HERE COMES THE REFERENDUM
The first step is the approval of the Autonomic Statute, the second is the collection of 70 thousand signatures equal to 8 percent of the voters registration list for Santa Cruz to give the Prefect of the Department, Ruben Costas, the mandate to call a referendum. Advisers, Juan Carlos Urenda and Javier Hage, explained that they are not breaking the legal system because the State Constitution provides that the people deliberates and governs through their representatives, the Constituent Assembly and the referendum. Also part of the Referendum Act passed during the government of Carlos Mesa empowers the elected Prefect to convene a Referendum in his department, jumping the National Congress, as a regional consultation that can not be sued for unlawful.
POINT OF VIEW
"Before we lacked courage and bravery," said Carlos Valverde B., Founder of the Youth Union, "This should have been done long ago, in my time we did not have the courage to do so. I am now very pleased that we are autonomous, it is the law that give us the cabildos andReferendum. It means that at last we can determine our own destiny, that never again they will take away our resourses, such as the IDH (Oil Tax). All taxes will stay in the department, so that never again we will live under a remote control. N now we will determine our own destiny and if they want to attack us there is a people who expects armed even with sticks or hot water"
On Saturday the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz in Bolivia will see the light
Without sleep, without rest, without stopping. That way is being written the statute that will give life to the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz. 150 representatives, elected parliamentarians, assembly members, councilors and advisers, have left everything in order to approve the norm the new department government.
Délmar Mendez, who is a departmental advisor and member of the Provisional Autonomic Assembly, explained that until 13:30 on Thursday they approved 92 articles and that at the end of the afternoon there will be at least 100. There are several sensitive issues and that require a careful treatment, such as the economic regime, he said.
Oscar Vargas, president of the Municipal Council of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, after several days on a hunger strike, said that he is working tirelessly to complete the statutes up on Saturday at noon. They are creating a new department that is within Bolivia. "We do not talk of separatism or division, but we go forward with the peoples claim for autonomy," he said.
As a detail, we can say that the new name will be Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz. Its main authority is the Governor, who ceases to be called as Prefect.
The Governor is the first autonomous authority of the department of Santa Cruz and the department head. He has the highest representation and also the representation of Bolivian Estate in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz will have a Legislative Assembly consistent of 28 members who shall be elected through popular vote. The organs of self-government of the autonomous department of Santa Cruz are the Department Legislative Assembly and the Department Executive, through which the Department exercises its powers in accordance with this Statute.
The transfer of responsabilities will be accompanied by a mandatory economic and financial resources set forth in the General Budget of the Nation (PGN), which are used by the Governor to fund all the projects and tasks cited in the Statute.
NO TO INTIMIDATION
The prefect of Santa Cruz, Ruben Costas, warned that the government is entering a process of intimidation or bullying the Bolivian people as a whole, by sending soldiers and police to create unrest. "We know that military and civilian police have arrived, they are quartered ready to act, but we want to tell you that this action bothers people in Santa Cruz and I therefore ask them to stop provoking," said Costas. "One of the minister of centralism (Rada) is thinking about taking the leaders of this movement into jail, but let me tell you that they would have to first imprison all two million citizens from Santa Cruz who no longer want to live in a centralist state" he said. "I ask them not to be stupid, and to stop pouring more gasoline into the fire," he warned.
FEAR AND DECISION
The topic of the moment in Santa Cruz is the militarization of the city and the possibility of a confrontation in the streets. While there is some fear for what might happen at any time, there is also a firm belief: "We will defend with my life the rights of Santa Cruz and my rights", was the general response.
People have begun to buy perishable foods for several days, taking forecasts to feed their families, fear can be seen in every neighborhood. Many people even talked about removing their savings from banks with the fear that banks will be overtaken by the government as had been reported.
OVERTAKING THE INRA
The taking of the INRA (National Institute for Agrarian Reform) by the government and the kidnapping of all documentation in such facilities, heightened fears that the government plot something similar to what happened in Sucre. Representatives of the CAO (Eastern Agrarian Chamber) said they will submit a demand because this jeopardizes the disappearance of hundreds of documents that were in those units.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS
Because a movement of soldiers began in Tarija, another department of Bolivia, people are starting to take precautions. Hopefully there will be no confrontation, was the reflection of the departmental authorities.
Meanwhile, in Sucre people will assist to a march on Friday to demand a referendum on autonomy and to become the national capital.
Beni and Pando are already progressing in their autonomic statutes and will show the results of this process on Saturday.
HUNGER STRIKES
In Bolivia, there are more than 1,300 people on hunger strike. In Santa Cruz it is estimated that there will be up to 1,000 people in voluntary fasting by Friday. The same is expected in other departments that continue this strike.
Délmar Mendez, who is a departmental advisor and member of the Provisional Autonomic Assembly, explained that until 13:30 on Thursday they approved 92 articles and that at the end of the afternoon there will be at least 100. There are several sensitive issues and that require a careful treatment, such as the economic regime, he said.
Oscar Vargas, president of the Municipal Council of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, after several days on a hunger strike, said that he is working tirelessly to complete the statutes up on Saturday at noon. They are creating a new department that is within Bolivia. "We do not talk of separatism or division, but we go forward with the peoples claim for autonomy," he said.
As a detail, we can say that the new name will be Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz. Its main authority is the Governor, who ceases to be called as Prefect.
The Governor is the first autonomous authority of the department of Santa Cruz and the department head. He has the highest representation and also the representation of Bolivian Estate in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz will have a Legislative Assembly consistent of 28 members who shall be elected through popular vote. The organs of self-government of the autonomous department of Santa Cruz are the Department Legislative Assembly and the Department Executive, through which the Department exercises its powers in accordance with this Statute.
The transfer of responsabilities will be accompanied by a mandatory economic and financial resources set forth in the General Budget of the Nation (PGN), which are used by the Governor to fund all the projects and tasks cited in the Statute.
NO TO INTIMIDATION
The prefect of Santa Cruz, Ruben Costas, warned that the government is entering a process of intimidation or bullying the Bolivian people as a whole, by sending soldiers and police to create unrest. "We know that military and civilian police have arrived, they are quartered ready to act, but we want to tell you that this action bothers people in Santa Cruz and I therefore ask them to stop provoking," said Costas. "One of the minister of centralism (Rada) is thinking about taking the leaders of this movement into jail, but let me tell you that they would have to first imprison all two million citizens from Santa Cruz who no longer want to live in a centralist state" he said. "I ask them not to be stupid, and to stop pouring more gasoline into the fire," he warned.
FEAR AND DECISION
The topic of the moment in Santa Cruz is the militarization of the city and the possibility of a confrontation in the streets. While there is some fear for what might happen at any time, there is also a firm belief: "We will defend with my life the rights of Santa Cruz and my rights", was the general response.
People have begun to buy perishable foods for several days, taking forecasts to feed their families, fear can be seen in every neighborhood. Many people even talked about removing their savings from banks with the fear that banks will be overtaken by the government as had been reported.
OVERTAKING THE INRA
The taking of the INRA (National Institute for Agrarian Reform) by the government and the kidnapping of all documentation in such facilities, heightened fears that the government plot something similar to what happened in Sucre. Representatives of the CAO (Eastern Agrarian Chamber) said they will submit a demand because this jeopardizes the disappearance of hundreds of documents that were in those units.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS
Because a movement of soldiers began in Tarija, another department of Bolivia, people are starting to take precautions. Hopefully there will be no confrontation, was the reflection of the departmental authorities.
Meanwhile, in Sucre people will assist to a march on Friday to demand a referendum on autonomy and to become the national capital.
Beni and Pando are already progressing in their autonomic statutes and will show the results of this process on Saturday.
HUNGER STRIKES
In Bolivia, there are more than 1,300 people on hunger strike. In Santa Cruz it is estimated that there will be up to 1,000 people in voluntary fasting by Friday. The same is expected in other departments that continue this strike.
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