JCP establishes relationship with Bolivian government

   The Japanese Communist Party delegation to Bolivia, led by Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo, on September 6 had a meeting with Justice Minister Celima Torrico at the Justice Ministry in La Paz. The two sides agreed to establish relations between the JCP and the Bolivian government.

   Torrico is one of the indigenous members of the cabinet. She is known as an old colleague of President Evo Morales, who is also an indigenous Bolivian. She has been leading farmers’ and women’s movements for social justice and human rights.

   She held talks with the JCP delegation on behalf of the Bolivian government in Foreign Minister Choquehuanca’s stead.

   Torrico said, “Bolivia’s Constitution is almost a copy of the U.S. Constitution that disregards people’s interests. The first task is for us to revise it.” She said that the Morales government is carrying out various activities in order to further its project to create a society that guarantees equality and human rights.

   Ogata stressed the significance of the projects for social change now under way in Bolivia and other Latin American countries, and wished the Justice Minister success in fulfilling the tasks.                                            - Akahata, September 8, 2007