Jubilation+over+hydrocarbons+nationalization+in+Bolivia,+Granma

Granma, Havana, May 2, 2006
=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.


 * From: http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2006/mayo/mar2/19bilivia.html**

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