Bolivian Leader Evo Morales Denounces Assassination Plot

The Leader of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), Evo Morales, denounced the arrival in Bolivia of a command of Colombian mercenaries hired to assassinate him and other popular leaders, and condemned the involvement of Interior Minister Saul Lara with the plot.

Morales told the foreign correspondents that he was warned by intelligence officials about the assassination plot as he is at the top of the list, adding that the goal is to extinguish the social movement seeking to nationalize Bolivian natural resources, especially oil.

The police operation against three foreigners, whom according to official reports were plotting to free three drug traffickers from Santa Cruz precinct, and would cover up for his murder, added Morales.

The Indigenous leader said the oil transnationals are defending their interests at any price in cooperation with the privileged domestic elite, as the Senate readies to redesign the oil law.

Morales warned that the law is fair and rejected nearly 17 official observations made to the texts, adding that the social organizations will not allow a backslide , especially concerning taxation laws, under which transnationals must pay 18% royalties plus 32% in taxes.

The MAS leader said a margin of legal safety could favor transnationals if their operations would render fair incomes for Bolivia, helping overcome social problems.

Morales said security can not be achieved with military and police repression that would just provoke more protests, and he rejected Washington Post statements on alleged threats to democracy posed by forces like the MAS.

"On the contrary the struggle conducted by the MAS and other social organizations targets corruption and foreign debt, therefore strengthens democracy," he said.

http://www.plenglish.com/article.as...