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May 4, 2009

Jimmy Carter: Bush’s Latin American Policy Was a “Disaster”
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Former President Jimmy Carter met with Bolivian President Evo Morales in
La Paz Friday and praised Bolivia’s new constitution.

Jimmy Carter: “Into a democracy of freedom, more equality for previously
deprived people is a very good trend. Now, of course, in a new
constitution, there’s a guarantee of a certain level of indigenous
participation, not quite as much as they wanted, but a very good step in
the right direction.”

Jimmy Carter also expressed support for President Barack Obama’s recent
moves to ease travel and financial restrictions on Cuban Americans.

Jimmy Carter: “The policies of President Bush in the last eight years
was a disaster for Latin America, and he tightened up the restraints on
any accommodations with the Cuban people in an unnecessary way. I don’t
think there’s any doubt that Obama has made clear moves, that if his
ideas are reciprocated by Raul Castro and Fidel Castro, they will have a
new relationship with Cuba. I’ve always felt that the economic embargo
should have been abolished.”



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