6-12-09, 10:50 am
HAVANA, Cuba, June 11 (acn) – The President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Evo Morales, affirmed on Thursday that capitalism is unable to solve the current world economic crisis, and highlighted how the natural resources are nationalized in his country and not poverty.
Shortly after his arrival in this capital on a working visit, the head of state offered a keynote speech in the Aula Magna of Havana University, where he received, in the presence of First VP José Ramón Machado Ventura, the Plaque for the 280th anniversary of the founding of that center of higher studies.
Morales made reference to the historical moment Latin America is living through, when it’s marking 200 years of emancipation and rebellion, and how significant the prominent role of the indigenous, the farmers and workers has been in the heroic deeds and social movements emerging throughout these two centuries, now with more strength than ever.
He explained the defamatory campaigns launched against his government by the Bolivian financial oligarchy supported by US imperialism in order to divide the nation, and how the transference of hydrocarbons to the Bolivian state is already bearing its first fruit for the benefit of the population and the country’s economy.
The Bolivian President recalled that during the three and a half years of his term of office not a single popular consultation to legitimize even more the political process and elections has been missed.
Morales reiterated his gratitude toward Cuba and to its historical leaders Fidel and Raúl for everything they have done for Bolivia, where over 300,000 of his compatriots have been operated on as part of Operation Miracle, a Cuban-Venezuelan project aimed at alleviating or curing the eye problems of people of scant economic resources.
He underlined that neo-liberalism and private investment will not be able to solve the problems accumulated as a consequence of the plundering and exploitation to which they have submitted the continent and, particularly, the current crisis, and expressed the view that only the awareness gained by the peoples will be capable of facing them.
Besides the bestowing of the Plaque on Morales by the rector of the University of Havana, Gustavo Cobreiro – another moving moment took place when the Andean president gave the wives and mothers of the five Cuban antiterrorists unjustly incarcerated in the United State a picture allegorical to the postage stamp issued by Bolivia’s Postal Services, on which are shown the faces of these men against a Cuban flag.
Also attending the lecture were Higher Education Minister Miguel Díaz and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, among other officials.
Evo Morales arrived in Havana on Thursday, following an invitation by Cuban President Raúl Castro.
The two countries re-established diplomatic relations on January 11, 1983. These bonds are currently developed in an atmosphere of fraternity, solidarity and mutual respect.
From the Cuban News Agency
