tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307701213103681553.post781669048367136880..comments2023-06-22T07:17:50.307-07:00Comments on Bolivia -- A Santa Cruz Perspective: Another Bullet Dodged Dept.David Boldthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04959337666287183045noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307701213103681553.post-71193925020727254772008-09-28T15:38:00.000-07:002008-09-28T15:38:00.000-07:00I wonder if you could expand on the issues. The m...I wonder if you could expand on the issues. The media, even the Economists, has not touched too deeply into the issues. <BR/><BR/>For example, I have heard mention of "land reform." But what does not specifically entail? Does Morales have a plan?<BR/><BR/>It is obvious that the issues run deeper than the mere distribution of oil revenues. <BR/><BR/>I would agree with the Anonymous comment above. In todays world political climate, this sort of thing makes for a good excuse for Chavez and company to expand their influence. The question, however, is the cost. Talk is easy. Landing a few helicopters and a few troops to show support is cheap. Logistics and long-term support operations are very, very expensive. I hope the OAS is on top this, or at least the neighboring states. Argentina and Brazil apparently have a direct interest in the flow of gas from Bolivia. They need to get involved with this and bring Morales to a negotiating position.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041425542388565582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307701213103681553.post-18640148464260144082008-09-26T14:25:00.000-07:002008-09-26T14:25:00.000-07:00thanks, David, for the real-life story. Video sho...thanks, David, for the real-life story. Video shots of confrontations reduce the entire picture of a country to a few square inches. Still, if I were still with you there, I would have been worried. I remembered seeing a half dozen buses that had carried autonomy supporters through the rock throwers of San Julian in December 2006, and the sight of all the windows smashed was chilling.James Breinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14818283595738647442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307701213103681553.post-73378194861586781012008-09-24T16:22:00.000-07:002008-09-24T16:22:00.000-07:00Morales was quoted in the media today that he woul...Morales was quoted in the media today that he would make no concessions in the new constitution to the eastern provinces. As one who has visited Santa Cruz annually for the past 11 years, I am worried. I do not think Morales will back down nor will his supporters let him. I expect armed conflict to erupt when his supporters enter the city. It has been widely rumored that Cuban military are in country and are part of a pacification plan. The underlying ethnic differences are ignored but the largely indigenous military will not have trouble carrying out orders to suppress the citizens of Santa Cruz. Please be careful. You are in our prayers and hearts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com