Methodist Bishop asks for unity and support for Morales in the midst of the crisis

Claudia Florentín, LA PAZ, Bolivia, October 9, 2006

An article by international analyst Heinz Dieterich published Friday by various news agencies, develops the Taxi Heathrow Airport hypothesis of a conspiracy planned for these days, to overthrow the government of Evo Morales. In its first paragraph the article says that, “A few weeks ago, Bolivian police officers approached generals of the Bolivian Armed Forces (FAB) to see if they would be willing to be part of an overthrowing of the government, to be carried out between the two forces. One of the military generals, who would be a key for the success of the overthrow, refused to participate and informed the President. The preparations continue without him. And also continuing are the radio announcements praising the ‘patriotic army that killed Che Guevara and subversion.’”   

According to Dieterich, those departments that most benefit from the traditional economy are the ones who are opposed to the Constituent Assembly, and who are conspiring this week with the guarantee and support of multinationals and governments who have a lamentable history of interfering with Latin American governments. The German analyst says, “The prefects (governors) of the energy and separatist departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Tarija, are fostering the forming of the so-called ‘Civil Committees,’ that are the spearheads of the visible political subversion. Both the prefects and the civil committees are in open rebellion to the constitutional government of Evo Morales, by declaring that they will not ‘obey the political constitution of the country that will come out of the Constituent Assembly, if all of its articles are not approved by a two thirds majority vote’ of all of the assembly’s members. If this condition of theirs is not met, they threaten to make headway with the ‘autonomous departments.’”     

The former coca leaf leader, who is responsible for the presidency of this Andean country and the whole of Bolivian society, now faces this difficult and complex panorama. In a letter made public last week in local and international circles, the Bolivian Methodist Church (IEMB) called for the unity of the Bolivian people. In a dialogue with ALC, Bishop Carlos Poma recognized that he has heard rumors about destabilizing actions, but that he does not have precise information. Given the panorama of social and political conflicts, the IEMB has called on its member churches to “open the churches so that whoever wants to can pray in them, do vigils, fasting and prayer for the dead, the orphans and the widows, the injured, and for the wounds of the society.” 

"We have asked the churches to help with paramedics, with medicines, with concrete actions,” said Poma, who continued by saying that “we are calling on the Bolivian people and the international community to support democracy in Bolivia, to not destabilize it.” A few days ago representatives of the Bolivian Methodist Church met with President Morales, who – according to Bishop Poma – they saw worried and showing signs of not having slept all night. In the meeting they prayed with the President, and assured him of the support of the IEMB as long as his policies go toward the bringing about of the unity of the Bolivian people, while at the same time reiterating to him that they will raise their prophetic voice as necessary in those cases where the government commits errors. The Methodist leader shared that, “We have asked him to address the people as a father of all Bolivians; the people need to hear a voice of affection and contention, of acceptance, and it is his responsibility to bring the people together that way.”   

In finishing his statements, the Bishop asked with resolute strength that the news media, the churches, all of society together, support the Bolivian people. “I would beg all of the people of Bolivia not to forget to dialogue, as dialogue can avoid many evils,” he stated. “And to those who are thinking or going about destabilizing the government, I would ask that they place their hand over their heart and consider the consequences of their actions, because the ones who will be harmed are not the governments or the politicians but the common people, the children, those who suffer, those who are always the marginalized.” 

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