DEMOCRACY AND BOLIVIA

Early day motion 2198, tabled 17 May 2006 by Colin Burgon (Labour). Signed by 47 members.

That this House welcomes the appeal of President Evo Morales for economic partners not masters at the Vienna Summit; notes that the privatisation of Bolivia's natural gas and petroleum reserves in the 1990s took place without the consent of Congress; regrets that to date its natural wealth has had no positive effect on the impoverished majority of Bolivians, particularly the indigenous population; recognises that President Morales pledged to regain national control of Bolivia's natural resources and was subsequently democratically elected with an overwhelming mandate; expresses hope that the considerable profits of these resources will help lift South America's poorest country out of poverty; and acknowledges that neo-liberal policies, US trade agreements and corporate-driven globalisation often act as obstacles to social progress in developing countries.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.