Michael Shifter
Michael Shifter
Michael Shifter is President of the Inter-American Dialogue and an Adjunct Professor of Latin American Studies at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and writes for the Council's journal Foreign Affairs. He is also a member of the Latin American Studies Association, and a contributing editor to Current History...
aware both country cutting identity indigenous setting standard terms
Morales is acutely aware of the symbols, both in terms of the indigenous identity of the country and by setting the standard for cutting salaries.
everybody perhaps profile reconcile wants
Perhaps you need someone with a profile like (Morales') to reconcile this very fractured country. Everybody wants him to succeed, even the elites.
credit fact
The fact that he is going is a credit to him, because there was a lot of speculation he wouldn't,
confront create policy question time violence whether
The question is, when it comes time to confront those policy decisions, whether that could create more violence or unrest.
face follow test
But now the test is, 'Can he follow through?' ... Ultimately, he will face real decisions.
affinity best convinced country enormous happening powerful shared states support symbolism tremendous united values
There is powerful symbolism in what's happening in Costa Rica. Here is a country with enormous affinity with the United States, where there is a tremendous convergence of shared values ... and even they are not convinced that unquestioned support of the United States is in their best interests.
amount bad tend
When you have that amount of concentrated power, bad things tend to happen.
america care latin needs start washington
There has been a sense that Latin America can take care of itself, but Washington needs to start repairing the tattered relations.
bush worse
It could have been worse if Bush had been embarrassed, or humiliated.
core element indication passions remember seen tolerate
I haven't seen any indication of a willingness to tolerate Morales' positions, and you have to remember that eradicating coca is a core element of U.S. drug policy. This is where the passions are greatest, especially in Congress.
carrying difficult governs quite radical
If he governs by really carrying out his agenda, which is quite a radical agenda, I think it's going to be very difficult for him.
carries consequences economy fully likely proposed quite supporters
If Morales fully carries out his proposed agenda, the consequences would be likely to be quite problematic. His supporters may be happy, but Bolivia's economy would not be viable.
blocking opposition parties seen tries
If the opposition parties are seen as not being constructive and blocking everything Morales tries to do that would not be in their own interests.
allowed extremely run strong
If Uribe's allowed to run he's in an extremely strong position, but it's not necessarily a foregone conclusion.