Solidarity Statement for Bolivia

Last August, the Bolivian people show significant support for Evo Morales leadership in a referendum that gave him the mandate to extend, expand, and deepen social transformations carried out by the MAS party led government. He won 67.41% of votes in 95 out of 112 provinces across the country. The opposition, centred around an oligarchy of big businessmen, landlords and multinational supporters in four departments (Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija), has been fighting for autonomy and secession, fearing the encroachment of the Morales administration's progressive projects, which seeks to transfer the profit of natural resources, particularly oil and gas, from the hands of the transnationals and oligarchy to the Bolivian people.

Bolivia is a country rich in natural resources. Although it gained formal independence from Spanish colonialism since 1825, Bolivia today - particularly its numerical majority indegenous population - is still struggling to free itself from colonial racist mentality and US imperialism. Recently, the US made another vulgar intervention through its ambassador, Philip Goldberg, who publicly supported and actively backed right-wing groups by providing funds and logistic support, as well as directing the media to lead the coup. This is similar to US subversion in Venezuela in 2002, which cooperated with the oligarchy to overthrow Chavez, but with failed results. At this moment, Bolivian opposition's right-wing groups, supported by the US, are launching violent attack against the poor, Morales supporters; taking over and destroy public facilities; blockading the roads to disrupt distribution of goods; as well as bombing and shooting civilians in several places, such as at CEJIS office, an NGO that defends indigenous rights.

There are at least several reasons for US interference in the coup: first, the US wishes to stop Latin American integration process that will potentially create another international political bloc that would diminish US influence in the region, as well as internationally. Second, the US attempted to blockade or stop the influence of leftist governments - born out of people's rebellion against neoliberalism - particularly in hydrocarbon producing countries, such as Bolivia, Venezuela, and Ecuador to safeguard US geopolitical interest and its corporations' control over raw materials and hydrocarbon.

Bolivian people's struggle to uphold their national sovereignty and control over natural resources have never been acknowledged and respected by the imperialist states, particularly the US. They, the US and its allies, not only do this to Bolivia and Latin America, but also to other countries in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe which attempt to be self-sufficient and self-reliance. In Indonesia, the intervention of the US and its transnational power have overthrown Sukarno's progressive government in the 60s and paved the way for full capitalist exploitation of Indonesia's natural and human resources. Up until now in Indonesia, the US remains the most powerful and dominant imperialist power that have been committing economic violence in its implementation of the "Washington Consensus", which have thrown more than half of the population to the abyss of poverty, destroyed domestic industries, and doomed the workers into exploitative working condition. Therefore, the Indonesian people also find itself in the midst of the struggle against imperialist domination.

In connection with increasing US intervention in the political crisis in Bolivia and Latin America in general, we the National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS), who fights for the national liberation of Indonesia from the yoke of imperialism, declared the following:

1. to demand that the US immediately stop its intervention in destabilising Evo Morales government, - A government which was elected and given the mandate by the people of Bolivia to bring about changes in the country;

2. to demand the end of violence carried out by right-wing groups; fascists armed gangs, militias and other irregular organisations formed by the local rulers under US assistance;

3. to demand the UN to sanction and to press the US to withdraw from Bolivia and Latin America;

4. to call for the international community to strengthen its solidarity with the Bolivian people and Morales government by sending protest letters to any US representatives;

5. to support the struggle of the Bolivian people and the Morales government that strive to uphold its national sovereignty, to free itself from foreign interference and pressures that want to control Bolivia's natural resources.

To Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration:

1. To demand that the President file a protest to the US government, asking them to immediately withdraw from Bolivia and other regions in turmoil due to US interference;

2. To expel US ambassador for Indonesia as a form of solidarity for Bolivia, if the protest was not responded;

3. To start the process of expropriating US companies in Indonesia and directed them to serve the needs and welfare of the Indonesian people;

4. To forge cooperation with exploited countries in the world, as a way out from the domination of the US and its allies in international political arena.

Jakarta, September 18, 2008