Evo: "Transparent aid or out of Bolivia"

Wed05Sep2007

Evo: "Transparent aid or out of Bolivia"

Everyone knows that throughout history U.S. aid in Latin America has often had an underlying agenda. The Bolivian government knows that too, and is talking back to the U.S., saying that if their policies don't support current president Evo Morales, then they can take their money and not let the door hit them on the way out.

According to Venezuela's El Universal, the "right hand man" of Evo Morales, Juan Ramón Quintana, says:

"If U.S. aid doesn't adjust itself to the policies of the Bolivian state, the door [to leave] is open. We aren't going to allow that this type of aid fog our democracy, conspire against the rights to freedom of our people or offend national dignity even one day more."

70% of aid to Bolivia currently comes from the U.S., and the Bolivian government says that makes it easy for its rich benefactor to influence local politics with the intention of undermining Evo Morales, who isn't exactly the United States government's best buddy.

Quintana charges that the U.S.' help is "not transparent, discretional and an intrusion," and that 40% of the money (between 120 and 140 million dollars per year) ends up in the hands of U.S. government contractors working on development projects in Bolivia, 30% goes to travel and other expenses of U.S. aid personnel, and only 30% goes directly to Bolivian personnel and projects.

U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey shot back, saying that the money is used for humanitarian purposes and that he has no knowledge of any groups trying to undermine the government.

Via / El Universal