Bolivian leader labels China 'ideological ally'

The Washington Times ^ | 1-9-06 | Joe McDonald

[JZelle]

BEIJING -- Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales yesterday met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and called China an "ideological ally," a day after he invited the communist country to develop Bolivia's vast gas reserves. Mr. Morales' visit to China came at a propitious time for Beijing, which is eager to develop links with Latin America. China sees nations like Bolivia as new sources of fuel and raw materials as well as new markets for its exports. China imports an estimated 40 percent of its oil, and analysts expect consumption to surge in coming years.

[JZelle]

Lula wasn't communist enough, so they vote for this guy?

[Thunder90]

He is also going to visit Russia, and probably visit Lenin's tomb.

[Thunder90]

He also has sent out for Gasprom to develop some of the fields as well.

[JZelle]

Oops, just realized Lula's in Brazil, my bad! Latin America doesn't appear to be changing for the better.

[Cicero]

Bush missed the boat with Chavez. Now South America is going left again. The pendulum is swinging. The people are calling more suffering down on themselves, as they regularly do.

Anyone who wants to read a great novel should read Joseph Conrad's "Nostromo." It's not as well known as "Lord Jim" and some of the others, but it's by far his greatest.

Everything you need to know about politics and government in Latin America was explained by Conrad more than a hundred years ago. It's a brilliant novel.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I don't think Evo will last the year. His army won't put up with this crap.

[Shermy]

"China sees nations like Bolivia as new sources of fuel"

Yeah, but Morales tells the locals the Chinese will help only "domestically" since the Bolivian citizenry was whipped up by the Venezuelans not to export gas to the US.

Bolivia, the new Zimbabwe.

Actually, Lula might not be so hot on this either.