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Alert:
from
the
Andean
Information
Network
9/25/98
(From Lee Cridland, 9/23, concerning the state of negotiations between the Bolivian Government (GOB) and the
cocaleros.)
On August 10, the coca growers from the Chapare started a peaceful and legal march to La Paz to take their demands to the seat of the national government. The march was the culmination of a series of protest against the militarization and violence in the tropics since April 1.
The growers' demands are as follows:
- Demilitarization of the Chapare region.
As of April 1 the entire zone has been militarized and troops are being used to forcibly eradicate coca plants. The entrance of the military into the zone and into the antinarcotics forces has increased violence and human rights violations, especially during eradication operations.
Fifteen people have died during confrontations, including two policemen. The military, as well as UMOPAR (drug police) and the Ecological Police, are reported to be participating in robberies, beating and torture during eradication operations.
- Compliance by the GOB with the treaty signed October of 1997 with the cocaleros.
This is the treaty that was signed at the end of last year which enabled the GOB to be certified by the U.S. government and continue to receive certain categories of foreign aid. The coca growers agreed to voluntarily eradicate 3,600 hectares of coca before December 1st 1997. The Bolivian
government in turn agreed to several still unfulfilled promises including the development of an agricultural-industrial complex which would advance alternative development in the region.
- Dialogue over various components of the GOB infamous Five Year Plan which calls for the eradication of all illegal coca in the country during Banzer's term.
This plan, which proposes to be a product of national consensus, has in fact never been debated by the county's Congress or any of their standing committees. Cocaleros as well as other sectors of civilian society would like the plan to be analyzed, especially those sections of the plan
which are in violation of the already existing antinarcotic law, Law 1008.
- Compensation for those families who lost members during the violent confrontation in April and May of this year.
The cocaleros, accompanied by other sections of the popular movement, including the COB, arrived in La Paz on August 31 and found the doors to the negotiating table closed. On
September 14, approximately 50 cocaleros, including the president of the union, Evo Morales, entered into an indefinite hunger strike. After much pressure from human rights organization and unions, the Catholic church has agreed to serve as negotiator. This is viewed as a positive
step and it is now up to the GOB to agree to enter in negotiations.
In a national meeting last weekend, the cocaleros gave the government a week to demonstrate good will toward serious negotiations. If progress isn't seen by September 28, they intend to once again block the main highway between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.
The following day, the government announced the movement of more military units into the area and guaranteed the right of passage for all. Monsignor Ren‚ Fernandez responded by
stating "that the church wants to approach both sides in a dialogue. The problem of the coca is complex, but we understand that the innocent citizens of Chapare should not
be punished."
AIN and other organizations in the country believe that
negotiations are the only manner in which further violence
and ultimately deaths can be avoided. It is crucial that
the GOB understand that the international community is aware
that the decision rests with them. The willingness of the
government to negotiate is critical in preventing further
escalation of violence in the region. AIN is asking that
letters be sent to the President and Minister of Government
asking them not to follow the path of further violence but
to instead agree to sit down at the bargaining table and
begin to search for peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Please send your letter this week and e-mail a copy to AIN
at [email protected] (and as always to DRCNet at
[email protected]).
Minister of Government
Guido Nayar
Avenida Arce Esq.
Wahaya
La Paz
Bolivia
Fax 591 2 370460
President of the Republic
Hugo Banzer
Palacio de Gobierno
La Paz
Bolivia
fax 591 2 359779
-- END --
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Issue #60, 9/25/98
DRCNet Nearing the 7,000 Mark -- Your Voice Needed | Alert: Congress Considers Jailing Children With Adults | Alert: from the Andean Information Network | On the Web | Canadian Hemp Shop Bust Aided by US Agents | Hemp BC Business License Hearing Scheduled for Next Week | Media Note: CBS Drama to Highlight Medical Marijuana | Volunteers Needed for Washington, DC Medical Marijuana Initiative | New Study Indicates That Cannabis Relieves Pain | Drug War Militarization Bill Passes House Over Objections of Colombia | Background on Juvenile Justice Bill | Massacre in Ensenada, Mexico Hits Close to US | Minnesota Marijuana Law Faces Constitutional Challenge | Human Rights Activists Accuse Russian Police of Planting Drugs | National Conference on Prisons This Weekend | Editorial: Repentance for the Drug War
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