Cablegate: Unga: Evo Morales Calls for a Democratized Global

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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #1086 3232211
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 182211Z NOV 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5393
INFO RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ NOV 0079

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001086

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL AORC UNGA BL
SUBJECT: UNGA: EVO MORALES CALLS FOR A DEMOCRATIZED GLOBAL
FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE IN 63RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

REF: USUNNEWYORK 870

1. Summary: Bolivian President Evo Morales Ayma addressed
the 63rd UN General Assembly November 17 to express thanks
for the support of the international community during
Bolivia's recent political and civil crises. Morales used
the speech as an opportunity to call the United Nations to
democratize world financial systems away from twenty decision
makers and into the full group of 192. Morales held up the
success of the nationalization of energy resources in Bolivia
as an example to the United Nations during a time of
financial crisis. He emphasized the success of the
indigenous peoples of Bolivia in achieving electoral power
and enshrining "moral principles" in the new constitution.
Morales' only mentioned the United States to criticize its
failure to condemn recent acts of rebel groups in Bolivia as
terrorism. End Summary.

CRITICIZING THE "TYRANNY" OF THE FREE MARKET
--------------------------------------------

2. Morales focused on the current financial crisis. Morales
said that the decision to allow free markets to tyrannize the
global economy overshadowed the productive role the
government could play. He noted the profits that the
Bolivian government had realized as a result of the state's
nationalization of the hydrocarbon industry. Morales urged
the international community to destroy individualism,
nationalism, and regionalism in order to promote equality and
justice throughout the earth.

3. In order to end the global financial crisis, Morales
called for the end of the rule of the WTO. Instead, the
world's financial architecture should be structured by the
will of 192, not just the Group of 20, he prescribed.
According to Morales, developed countries had provided to
Wall Street banks 30 times the amount donated to assist
countries in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. He
argued that money should go to the victims of this crisis,
not to the banks that had caused it.

A FARMER'S STRUGGLE
-------------------

4. Morales reminded the General Assembly of his history of
struggle alongside of the indigenous people, farmers and
working groups of Bolivia. He noted the achievement of these
citizens with their progressive representation in parliament
over the years and ultimate victory in the 2005 election.
Morales noted the efforts of opponent groups to foment a
civil coup by attacking airports and government properties.
He claimed that only United States had failed to recognize
these acts as terrorism. However, Morales noted that he had
held successful negotiations to resolve those internal
conflicts, thanks to the support of the United Nations and
the international community.

BOLIVIA'S NEW CONSTITUTION
--------------------------

5. Bolivia's new constitution demonstrates the equality that
has come to the indigenous and poor, Morales claimed. He
noted that the new legislation allocates at least 30% of
positions in government to women. Morales also contradicted
worries that Bolivia had abolished private property. Rather,
he said, it upholds both private, collective and governmental
property rights.

6. According to Morales, the new Constitution recognizes the
coca plant as a product. Morales condemned the use of the
coca plant to make cocaine. However, he said that indigenous
population has a long history of legitimate use of the coca
leaf that the constitution upholds. Morales regretted that
the U.S. Department of Agriculture refuses to acknowledge the
indigenous consumption of the plant.

7. Morales argued that through the constitution Bolivia has
declared "no wars" with neighboring country. He claimed that
this is the first step to lasting regional peace. Morales
highlighted the new constitution's infusion of moral
principles. The legislation shows the importance of living
"in harmony with Mother Earth," defending mankind and
preserving the environment.
Khalilzad

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