CANADA MUST SUPPORT BOLIVIA'S REAL DEMOCRACY

Endorse the Following Letter to Canadian Foreign Affairs by April 25:

Rt. Hon. Maxime Bernier
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Tel: 613.992.8053
Fax: 613.995.0687
Bernier.M@parl.gc.ca

April 21, 2008

Dear Mr. Bernier,

We, the undersigned, write to ask you to make a public statement in support of Bolivian unity at a critical time in that country's process of democratic transformation. We feel Canada can make a positive contribution towards a peaceful and constitutional resolution to the current crisis.

As you are surely aware, in 2005, Evo Morales became the first indigenous President of Bolivia, the poorest country in South America. With an overwhelming 54% majority, his mandate was clear: to renegotiate control over the country's natural resources, implement land reform, and draft a new Constitution that recognizes indigenous rights and regional autonomies.

While the new Constitution is still to be ratified by popular vote, powerful economic interests in the resource-rich "Crescent" region are now provoking a division of the country, organizing a Referendum for "Autonomy" to be held May 4, 2008 in Santa Cruz. This is in fact a call for secession, an illegal and reprehensible attempt to retain sole control over the resources that exist to benefit all Bolivians.

In spite of President Morales having called for dialogue and asking the Church to facilitate, civic leaders in the Crescent region have refused, preferring to push the country towards confrontation and breakup. With threats, media disinformation and even physical violence, they are shamelessly circumventing democracy and all legal process.

Faced with these challenges, President Morales has been an inspiring example of non-violence, insisting on dialogue and negotiation, and adhering to Bolivia's democratic laws.

The response that Canada gives now to Bolivia is very important. The Bolivian people need to see that their democracy is respected and that any manipulated fragmentation of the State will not be recognized. More than just an internal matter of State, the crisis in Bolivia should be of concern to all who believe in democracy, social justice, and the right of the people to choose a new future through non-violent means.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, we ask you to make a public statement supporting the true democratic process in Bolivia, and refuse to recognize this seditious "referendum" that puts Bolivian unity in danger.

Sincerely,

Roberto Verdecchia
Humanist Movement (Canada)
info@humanistmovement.ca

[other groups/associations]

Cc:

Beverley J. Oda
Minister of International Cooperation
Oda.B@parl.gc.ca

Deepak Obhrai
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
obhrad@parl.gc.ca

Helena Guergis
Secretary of State, Foreign Affairs and International Trade
guergh@parl.gc.ca

Bob Rae
Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic
RaeB1@parl.gc.ca

Francine Lalonde
Bloc Québécois Foreign ffairs Critic
Lalonde.F@parl.gc.ca

Alexa McDonough
NDP International Cooperation Critic
mcdonough.a@parl.gc.ca