Language

Smoke signals are getting through

Submitted March 10, 2005 - 12:02 am by Bill Conroy
Luis,

Great coverage of the events in Boliva.

Below is a statement released recently by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. It appears he at least sees some of the nuances of the situation, unlike the bulk of the commercial media in the states. Although Carter's words make sense in theory, the real question is whether the powers that be in Bolivia are really concerned with advancing a people's democracy. Absent good faith in that area, solutions become all that more elusive.

The media script here seems to be that Bolivian President Carlos Mesa took a courageous chance in tendering his resignation for the good of the country, and now the country has embraced him and rejected his resignation, so he now has "renewed" legitimacy. That's the mainstream media line, it seems, that the power of the state has been emboldened in Bolivia, so that the world community should now view it as justified if greater force is used against the opposition -- the people.

That's why your reporting, and the coordination you are doing of the reporting on the scene, is so vital in my eyes. You are getting the truth out, to counter the spin. Mesa and his oligarch backers are all smoke and mirrors; you, Narco News and the people of Boliva are the real fire.

Keep on sending out those smoke signals from the people's fire.

Ciao,

In Support of Bolivian Democracy: A Statement from Jimmy Carter
March 8 - ATLANTA…Statement from former President Jimmy Carter:

"I have watched with concern the increasing tension in Bolivia culminating two days ago in the resignation letter of President Mesa. Over the past 17 months, Bolivia has faced difficult choices on a variety of issues, and these will not be solved simply with a change in the government.

Rather, as with any democracy, the best mechanism for their resolution is through open dialogue and consensus-building among all sectors of society. It is the responsibility of the elected leaders and of all citizens to provide the space and support so that initiatives can be discussed and solutions found in a peaceful and democratic manner.

I urge all Bolivians to maintain calm and reject violence in these difficult days ahead."

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The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, the Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 65 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers to increase crop production. To learn more about The Carter Center, please visit: www.cartercenter.org.

PARA DIFUSIÓN INMEDIATA
8 de marzo 2005

Contacto: Kay Torrance
En Atlanta, 1-404-420-5129

Declaración del ex- Presidente de los EE UU Jimmy Carter en Apoyo a la Democracia Boliviana

ATLANTA…He visto con preocupación la creciente tensión en Bolivia que culminó hace dos días atrás con la carta de renuncia del Presidente Mesa. En los últimos 17 meses su país ha afrontado decisiones difíciles sobre diversos temas, y esos temas no serán resueltos simplemente con un cambio en el gobierno. Por el contrario, como en toda democracia, el mejor mecanismo para su resolución es a través del dialogo abierto y la construcción de consenso entre todos los sectores de la sociedad. Es responsabilidad de los líderes electos y de todos los ciudadanos crear un espacio y brindar el apoyo para que las diferentes iniciativas puedan ser discutidas y se encuentren soluciones de manera pacífica y democrática. Exhorto a todos los bolivianos mantener la calma y rechazar la violencia en estos días difíciles.

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El Centro Carter fue fundado en 1982 por el ex-presidente de los Estados Unidos Jimmy Carter y su esposa Rosalynn, en sociedad con la Universidad de Emory, para promover la paz y la salud mundial. El Centro Carter es una organización no gubernamental sin fines de lucro. El Centro ha ayudado a mejorar la vida de las personas en más de 65 países, resolviendo conflictos, promoviendo la democracia, los derechos humanos y la oportunidad económica; previniendo enfermedades y mejorando los sistemas de salud mental; y capacitando a agricultores sobre métodos para aumentar la producción de sus cultivos. Para saber más sobre el Centro Carter por favor visite: www.cartercenter.org.

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