[Oct 29] Showdown in Bolivia (San Rafael)

Wednesday, October 29, at 7:30 PM
First United Methodist Church
9 Ross Valley Drive at Fourth Stree
San Rafael

The political showdown in Bolivia will be the topic of a discussion by Roger Burbach, Director of the Center for the Study of the Americas (CENSA).

While Bolivia is on the brink of a civil war, President Evo Morales continues to maintain his commitment to constructing a popular democracy by working within the state institutions that brought him to power. He received a 67% vote of confidence in a referendum that took place on August 10th. However, Bolivia’s four eastern departments, with backing from USAID, have orchestrated a rebellion against Morales’ changes in allocation of the countries resources by demanding departmental autonomy and control of the oil and gas revenues, as well as an end to agrarian reform. In addition, they say they will refuse to accept a national vote on the referendum for a new constitution scheduled for December.

People have been killed and beaten, roads have been blocked, government buildings ransacked by hired thugs and international flights canceled. After 30 peasants were massacred in the province of Pando, Morales declared martial law; and the prefect (governor) was arrested for orchestrating the massacre. Bolivian soldiers have used considerable restraint in order to avoid further confrontations.

On September 15 nine presidents and three presidential delegates of UNASUR (Union of South American Nations) met in Chile and produced a 9-point declaration of support for Bolivian President Evo Morales.

Burbach has written extensively on Latin America and is the author of The Pinochet Affair: State Terrorism and Global Justice.

This event is sponsored by the Task Force on the Americas.

A $5-10 donation is requested. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
The venue is wheelchair accessible.

For more information, please call 415/924-3227, email mitf@igc.org or go to
www.mitfamericas.org