UNGA: EVO MORALES CALLS FOR A DEMOCRATIZED GLOBAL

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