|
General jubilation over hydrocarbons
nationalization in Bolivia
LA PAZ, May 1 (PL).— The nationalization of the
country’s hydrocarbon resources lent general
jubilation to the celebration of International
Workers Day in this and other Bolivian cities.
An impressive multitude gathered to celebrate May
Day in the capital’s Murillo Plaza exploded with joy
and cheers after the nationalization decree was
announced by President Evo Morales, who was in the
southern region of Chaco.
The surprise measure, kept secret until minutes
before its announcement, was communicated to the La
Paz rally by Vice President Alvaro García.
García emphasized that Bolivia is undertaking “the
first nationalization of the 21st century” in the
world, without asking anybody’s permission, without
negotiating with anyone, and as part of an
absolutely sovereign decision.
He noted that the decree was being issued almost
exactly one decade after the neoliberal Gonzalo
Sánchez de Lozada government privatized what is now
a state-owned oil company, Yacimientos Petrolíferos
Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB).
“From today, our hydrocarbons will never again be in
the hands of the transnationals,” affirmed García,
as he paid tribute to the 50,000 Bolivians who died
in the Chaco War with Paraguay in the last century
to defend the nation’s oil riches.
A government message broadcast on TV and radio also
paid tribute to the 67 people killed during the
social explosion of October 2003 in demand of
nationalization that forced Sánchez de Lozada to
resign from his second mandate
The vice president also affirmed that the
government’s members were determined to stake their
lives, together with the people, for the homeland
and for history, and called for defense of the
nationalization.
García said the government would not cede to
pressures from any foreign company or government,
nor from any traitor in Parliament who might try to
defend the interests of the transnationals.
Demonstrators gathered in Murillo Placa applauded
the announcement and repeatedly shouted out Morales’
name, and a veritable fiesta ensued, livened up with
popular music groups, as people waited for Morales
to arrive from El Chaco.
“It was what we were hoping for,” and “Finally, we
have honored our dead,” were comments made by those
present, as they praised the president’s decision
and his compliance with his main campaign promise.
At May Day rallies in other cities, similar festive
scenes took place around the government decision,
hailed by some labor and regional leaders who are
usually critical of the government.
Among the few dissenting voices, Jaime Solares, the
controversial executive secretary of the Bolivian
Workers Federation (COB), stated that the measure is
not complete and demanded the complete seizure of
transnationals illegally based in the country.
The decree establishes that the state has the
majority of shares in the five companies formed when
oil activity was privatized 10 years ago, and that
it now owns the wells and controls gas and oil
production, industrialization and commercialization.
Without affecting the actions of other
transnationals, it subjects them to YPFB control and
requires them to submit all of their production, for
which it assigns them 18% participation for those
producing more than 10 million cubic feet daily and
50% for those producing less.
|
