Never mind that the privatisation of Bolivia's gas and oil in the 1990s was almost certainly illegal, as it took place without the consent of congress. Never mind that - until now - its natural wealth has only impoverished its people. Never mind that Morales had promised to regain national control of Bolivia's natural resources before he became president, and that the policy has massive support among Bolivians. It can't be long before Donald Rumsfeld calls him the new Hitler and Bush makes another speech about freedom and democracy being threatened by freedom and democracy.
It's a kind of Robin Hood tale: the rich start whining when someone turns their money-printers off so that the poorest can have their rights.
My main fear is that these governments are in cultures that have a history of corruption ...
Guardian Unlimited | Comment is free | When two poor countries reclaimed oilfields, why did just one spark uproar?:
Filed in: Bolivia, Morales, nationalisation, oil
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