5-16-06, 8:55 am
With the nationalization of Bolivian hydrocarbons, a measure that shook the business world, Bolivia recovered its national sovereignty, which it had lost after neo-liberal economic policies submissively handed it over to transnational powers.
The meeting held by the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Bolivia, ratified the principle of integration with sovereignty, in contrast with the subordination scheme defended by the Free Trade Area of the Americas and the Free Trade Agreements.
In less than a week -- from April 29th to May 4th -- the foundations for a different relationship among Latin American countries were laid. Political experts foresee that the U.S. government will respond to such defiant attitudes, trying to isolate nations promoting and favoring change.
The point is that in today´s globalized world there is no room to establish an economic relationship ignoring the super powers because, after all, everyone knows they have the largest consumption markets as well as the most updated technology on Earth.
However, it appears to be that the global stockpiling policy, which industrialized countries still insist on calling globalization, drew to a close. Suddenly, Latin American peoples have begun to build their own structure, breaking the one imposed upon them by Washington.
The thwarted attempt to force the FTAA down their throats was replaced by regional agreements, first in North and Central America and later in South America - an area which became a real tough nut to crack. The White House, despite being very busy with its invasions and occupations around the world, attempted to penetrate one country here and another one there. The new Bolivian Government was the missing link in the chain. The People's Trade Agreement proposal and its rapid realization opened a door to important medium term projects.
So far, the ratification of the FTA signed by some governments in the region is in doubt now that another alternative is possible. If we add to this the nationalization of Bolivian hydrocarbons -- a sovereign decision supported by Venezuela and Brazil -- it is obvious that a new perspective of integration with sovereignty is on the air.
There are many levels to be achieved before finishing the construction of a structure capable of competing with the industrialized world. Undoubtedly, trade between them and us will be intense because no one can build walls between nations, as those that the United States and Israel have tried to construct.
At the same time, no one can deny the new perspectives created by the People's Trade Agreement, the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, the nationalization of Bolivian gas and the understanding being reached between many governments in the region. Bolivia has become the link uniting Our America.
From Prensa Latina
