Post by Okwes on Dec 28, 2005 22:00:24 GMT -5
Evo Morales becomes Bolivia's first Indian president
Leftist Appears to Be Winner in Bolivia
LA PAZ, Bolivia — Evo Morales, a former coca farmer who has pledged
to
torpedo U.S. anti-drug efforts here and be a "nightmare" for
Washington, appeared set to become Bolivia's first Indian president
after a surprisingly strong showing in Sunday's election.
Media tabulations of official results showed the leftist Morales with
as much as 51% of the vote and his nearest rival, U.S.-educated former
President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, with 31% to 34%.
Electoral authorities did not release final, certified results
Sunday,
but analysts and Morales' opponents acknowledged that he would be the
next leader of this polarized Andean nation, where convulsive protests
have ousted two presidents since 2003.
Quiroga conceded defeat and congratulated Morales and his Movement to
Socialism alliance on their victory. The third-place finisher, Samuel
Doria Medina, said Morales had won a "clear mandate."
Most experts had predicted that Morales would not win a majority, in
which case Congress would decide the election outcome next month. But
with more than 60% of the votes counted, local media reported, Morales
was ahead by more than 40 percentage points in heavily populated La Paz
province, 30 points in Cochabamba and Oruro provinces and 20 points in
Potosi.
Even if the official results showed that Morales fell just short of
the 50% needed in the first round, it appeared unlikely that Quiroga
would challenge him in Congress.
Morales' supporters celebrated in the streets of this capital and
other cities by the thousands, chanting, "Evo, presidente!" Fireworks
illuminated La Paz and Cochabamba, the city where Morales, as
representative of the growers of coca leaf — the raw ingredient in
cocaine — rose to national prominence. Morales has pledged to
decriminalize coca cultivation if he attains the presidency.
His career arc, from llama herder to coca farmer to activist and
presidential candidate, has captivated many in this nation of 9
million, which is notorious for its lack of social mobility —
particularly for Indians, who make up at least half the population.
Many here echo Morales' complaints that U.S.-backed economic and
anti-drug policies have done little to enhance prosperity in a nation
where an estimated six of every 10 residents live in poverty, with
deprivation rife among the indigenous masses.
"This is the new history of Bolivia," Morales declared in an
emotional
victory speech in Cochabamba. "We, the indigenous people, have been
called animals and savages…. That is not important anymore."
The Movement to Socialism alliance has grown from a regional group
representing coca farmers to the nation's most important political
group in a decade.
Morales promised to reach out to all sectors of Bolivia's people and
heal the wounds that have riven the nation in recent years. He said
"the truth" of his campaign had vanquished the "dirty war" that had
linked him to drug traffickers during the campaign — allegations he
repeatedly denied.
He also accused Bolivian electoral authorities of removing many
citizens' names from voting registers, leaving thousands unable to
participate in the election.
Aides said Morales' campaign had been prepared to make accusations of
massive electoral irregularities if its candidate had failed to win.
In recent years, left-wing governments wary of Washington have taken
power in Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, and Morales' rapid
ascension is another blow for U.S. policy in South America.
Among the first chief executives to call and offer congratulations,
an
aide to Morales said, were Venezuela's Hugo Chavez — an ardent U.S.
critic — and Argentina's Nestor Kirchner, who has also followed a
populist, left-wing political path.
Morales is a devoted fan of Chavez as well as Cuban President Fidel
Castro. During last month's Summit of the Americas conference in
Argentina, Morales participated in an anti-free-trade protest with
Chavez, calling him "Comandante."
There was no immediate word on the election from the U.S. Embassy in
Bolivia, which has avoided commenting on the campaign, fearing charges
of meddling.
But it was no secret it preferred Quiroga, who backed the
coca-eradication policy that U.S. officials say has greatly reduced the
flow of Bolivian cocaine to America. Quiroga was also favored among the
middle class and well-off professionals who feared that a Morales
government could lead to even more instability and chase away foreign
investors.
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Amanda Rogers-Harper
said,
"The election is for the Bolivian people and their elected
representatives to decide, and we will respect their decision."
But she added that, "as with all nations, the quality of our
relationship will depend on the convergence of our interests, and that
includes counter-narcotics issues. We continue to support the
government of Bolivia's long-standing counter-narcotics policy, and we
expect the next government to honor its international commitments."
If Morales' victory is confirmed, he will take office on Jan. 22,
succeeding Eduardo Rodriguez, a Supreme Court justice who was appointed
caretaker chief executive in June after fierce protests ended the
18-month presidency of Carlos Mesa. Mesa's early departure led to the
election held Sunday.
In addition to a president, Bolivians were choosing a vice president,
27 senators, 130 congressional deputies and nine governors.
About 200 foreign observers, including a large contingent from the
Organization of American States, were on hand to watch the election.
Voting appeared to proceed in an orderly fashion in La Paz, where, as
elsewhere, most traffic was banned and liquor sales were put on hold
until today. Streets normally jammed with traffic took on a festive
look as youths organized makeshift soccer games and vendors sold their
wares.
Morales voted Sunday in the coca-growing Chapare region and repeated
his belief that the coca leaf had been wrongly demonized. He said any
increased production during his rule would be for traditional uses —
such as chewing, religious ceremonies and tea — not for the production
of cocaine.
The firebrand candidate also has pledged to end what he terms foreign
exploitation of Bolivia's natural resources, especially its massive
natural gas reserves, second on the continent in volume to Venezuela's.
In the La Paz suburb of El Alto, a hub of social protests in recent
years, strong support was evident for Morales and the Movement to
Socialism, known by its Spanish acronym MAS. Most people interviewed
there expressed disdain for a political order long dominated by the
white and mixed-race elite.
"We are all tired of the old parties and their broken promises and
their corruption," said Alvaro Blanco, a 28-year-old university student
who was riding through town on a bicycle after voting. "And we don't
want to be slaves of the Americans anymore. At least Evo represents
something different."
But even in El Alto, some expressed misgivings about Morales, his
links to coca growers and the protests that have repeatedly blocked
streets, making it difficult for many to get to work and dealing
another blow to the nation's battered economy.
"To me, Evo is too much of a demagogue," said Berta Arteaga, a
46-year-old teacher. "He promises a lot, but he will bring even more
divisions. Plus, there will be more cocaine and criminality."
But Milton Sanchez, who cast his ballot for Morales in La Paz, said
it
was time for a radical change.
"More than anything else, people are voting against the longtime
status quo," said Sanchez, 28. "It's a vote of rejection."
www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-
bolivia19dec19,0,6110173,full.story?coll=la-story-footer
Leftist Appears to Be Winner in Bolivia
LA PAZ, Bolivia — Evo Morales, a former coca farmer who has pledged
to
torpedo U.S. anti-drug efforts here and be a "nightmare" for
Washington, appeared set to become Bolivia's first Indian president
after a surprisingly strong showing in Sunday's election.
Media tabulations of official results showed the leftist Morales with
as much as 51% of the vote and his nearest rival, U.S.-educated former
President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, with 31% to 34%.
Electoral authorities did not release final, certified results
Sunday,
but analysts and Morales' opponents acknowledged that he would be the
next leader of this polarized Andean nation, where convulsive protests
have ousted two presidents since 2003.
Quiroga conceded defeat and congratulated Morales and his Movement to
Socialism alliance on their victory. The third-place finisher, Samuel
Doria Medina, said Morales had won a "clear mandate."
Most experts had predicted that Morales would not win a majority, in
which case Congress would decide the election outcome next month. But
with more than 60% of the votes counted, local media reported, Morales
was ahead by more than 40 percentage points in heavily populated La Paz
province, 30 points in Cochabamba and Oruro provinces and 20 points in
Potosi.
Even if the official results showed that Morales fell just short of
the 50% needed in the first round, it appeared unlikely that Quiroga
would challenge him in Congress.
Morales' supporters celebrated in the streets of this capital and
other cities by the thousands, chanting, "Evo, presidente!" Fireworks
illuminated La Paz and Cochabamba, the city where Morales, as
representative of the growers of coca leaf — the raw ingredient in
cocaine — rose to national prominence. Morales has pledged to
decriminalize coca cultivation if he attains the presidency.
His career arc, from llama herder to coca farmer to activist and
presidential candidate, has captivated many in this nation of 9
million, which is notorious for its lack of social mobility —
particularly for Indians, who make up at least half the population.
Many here echo Morales' complaints that U.S.-backed economic and
anti-drug policies have done little to enhance prosperity in a nation
where an estimated six of every 10 residents live in poverty, with
deprivation rife among the indigenous masses.
"This is the new history of Bolivia," Morales declared in an
emotional
victory speech in Cochabamba. "We, the indigenous people, have been
called animals and savages…. That is not important anymore."
The Movement to Socialism alliance has grown from a regional group
representing coca farmers to the nation's most important political
group in a decade.
Morales promised to reach out to all sectors of Bolivia's people and
heal the wounds that have riven the nation in recent years. He said
"the truth" of his campaign had vanquished the "dirty war" that had
linked him to drug traffickers during the campaign — allegations he
repeatedly denied.
He also accused Bolivian electoral authorities of removing many
citizens' names from voting registers, leaving thousands unable to
participate in the election.
Aides said Morales' campaign had been prepared to make accusations of
massive electoral irregularities if its candidate had failed to win.
In recent years, left-wing governments wary of Washington have taken
power in Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, and Morales' rapid
ascension is another blow for U.S. policy in South America.
Among the first chief executives to call and offer congratulations,
an
aide to Morales said, were Venezuela's Hugo Chavez — an ardent U.S.
critic — and Argentina's Nestor Kirchner, who has also followed a
populist, left-wing political path.
Morales is a devoted fan of Chavez as well as Cuban President Fidel
Castro. During last month's Summit of the Americas conference in
Argentina, Morales participated in an anti-free-trade protest with
Chavez, calling him "Comandante."
There was no immediate word on the election from the U.S. Embassy in
Bolivia, which has avoided commenting on the campaign, fearing charges
of meddling.
But it was no secret it preferred Quiroga, who backed the
coca-eradication policy that U.S. officials say has greatly reduced the
flow of Bolivian cocaine to America. Quiroga was also favored among the
middle class and well-off professionals who feared that a Morales
government could lead to even more instability and chase away foreign
investors.
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Amanda Rogers-Harper
said,
"The election is for the Bolivian people and their elected
representatives to decide, and we will respect their decision."
But she added that, "as with all nations, the quality of our
relationship will depend on the convergence of our interests, and that
includes counter-narcotics issues. We continue to support the
government of Bolivia's long-standing counter-narcotics policy, and we
expect the next government to honor its international commitments."
If Morales' victory is confirmed, he will take office on Jan. 22,
succeeding Eduardo Rodriguez, a Supreme Court justice who was appointed
caretaker chief executive in June after fierce protests ended the
18-month presidency of Carlos Mesa. Mesa's early departure led to the
election held Sunday.
In addition to a president, Bolivians were choosing a vice president,
27 senators, 130 congressional deputies and nine governors.
About 200 foreign observers, including a large contingent from the
Organization of American States, were on hand to watch the election.
Voting appeared to proceed in an orderly fashion in La Paz, where, as
elsewhere, most traffic was banned and liquor sales were put on hold
until today. Streets normally jammed with traffic took on a festive
look as youths organized makeshift soccer games and vendors sold their
wares.
Morales voted Sunday in the coca-growing Chapare region and repeated
his belief that the coca leaf had been wrongly demonized. He said any
increased production during his rule would be for traditional uses —
such as chewing, religious ceremonies and tea — not for the production
of cocaine.
The firebrand candidate also has pledged to end what he terms foreign
exploitation of Bolivia's natural resources, especially its massive
natural gas reserves, second on the continent in volume to Venezuela's.
In the La Paz suburb of El Alto, a hub of social protests in recent
years, strong support was evident for Morales and the Movement to
Socialism, known by its Spanish acronym MAS. Most people interviewed
there expressed disdain for a political order long dominated by the
white and mixed-race elite.
"We are all tired of the old parties and their broken promises and
their corruption," said Alvaro Blanco, a 28-year-old university student
who was riding through town on a bicycle after voting. "And we don't
want to be slaves of the Americans anymore. At least Evo represents
something different."
But even in El Alto, some expressed misgivings about Morales, his
links to coca growers and the protests that have repeatedly blocked
streets, making it difficult for many to get to work and dealing
another blow to the nation's battered economy.
"To me, Evo is too much of a demagogue," said Berta Arteaga, a
46-year-old teacher. "He promises a lot, but he will bring even more
divisions. Plus, there will be more cocaine and criminality."
But Milton Sanchez, who cast his ballot for Morales in La Paz, said
it
was time for a radical change.
"More than anything else, people are voting against the longtime
status quo," said Sanchez, 28. "It's a vote of rejection."
www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-
bolivia19dec19,0,6110173,full.story?coll=la-story-footer
