The demonstrations for public education, free, quality and service to the people again
install in social debate the issue of control over strategic resources of our country,
which could fund an inclusive development and high quality of life for the great majority
Chile. ---- Copper, "Chile's salary", is currently controlled by 70% for large companies.
The room for maneuver of the state corporation, Codelco, is small. The obligation to
deliver the State total profits and the consequent obligation incumbent upon it to borrow
to invest in productive places it at a disadvantage compared to private operators, who
account for using so-called "concessions" the best deposits. ---- Help little to reverse
this trend the attitude of its operators. The shameful agreement between Anglo American
and Codelco by former Disputada of Las Condes and back through the front door of Diego
Hernandez, Codelco president so far, the private sector had come from (especially the
giant Antofagasta Minerals Luksic group) are only a small sample of his subservience to
the great mining capital.
No due diligence defend the general interests because their perspective is a career in big
business and become partners in their business: Codelco is just a springboard to other
courses and to keep climbing.
Of course all it promotes and facilitates the current mining legislation and the active
participation of representatives of the Alliance and the Coalition in the defense of the
current model.
The reversal of the historic trend of 1971 agreement by which nationalized copper, begun
in Dictatorship and depth in the Concertaci?n governments, continues. Not only with regard
to copper, but also other strategic sectors of our economy.
The apparent negligence in managing Codelco is not so, on the contrary it is a very clear
guidance, it exists in other economic sectors: private business by encouraging
disinvestment and deterioration planned public sector.
The current administration of Pinera not even hide his neoliberal and pro-big business as
did the Coalition. A clear example of this government identification no business with the
general interests is their attitudes towards lithium. Lithium is a mineral with more
projection for the future. It is increasingly used in industrial applications, including
in chemical production, in the manufacture of medicaments or electric batteries. Their
demand and its price is steadily rising for years, and Chile accounts for 40% of world
reserves of this precious mineral. Rather than treating it with due tact, given its
importance and future, is topped at bargain prices concesion?ndolo private long-term, in
exchange for a few crumbs (a 7% royalty on sales). No wonder therefore that multinational
mining companies are licking at this cake that is being offered. Figure Special Operations
Contract for the Exploration, Exploitation and Benefits of lithium deposits is a form of
violating the Constitution, which considers this strategic mineral and therefore has
strong restrictions granted. Not the first time, however, it is this: in the mining sector
is the norm and not the exception. Not enough to the interest shown by Codelco managers
take over a part of the use of lithium, who already have little credibility in the light
of recent history, with his statement that no progress is being made towards dismantling
state corporation.
You have to take the weight issue and assume that there will be Codelco's board nor the
current political leadership, linked to the interests of big business, who take in their
hands the defense of copper, lithium and other riches country. Will the pressure of
organized people that requires them to do so or bar the way if they refuse. Workers, both
plant and contractors, strategic areas of the economy, have an important role to play in
this regard, but it is key that have solidarity and mobilization of other sectors that
demand is raised as a flag by all organizations.
We must be aware that we have a long way to go. The struggle for sovereignty over our
natural resources and effective building our independence is a distance race in which,
compared to other South American countries, we are late. While progress is being made on
the continent in desprivatizadoras agendas and regional integration accelerates, Chile
will counter to this trend and is giving away their wealth, widening the gap between rich
and poor (the real country is still far from official country trying to sell lying as
CASEN surveys), and privileging the unequal and subordinate to transnational finance
capital rather than a fraternal relationship and cooperation with the countries of our region.
Salaries at edge of subsistence, health mercenary elite education, pensions shame for our
seniors, transportation expensive and degraded, shortage of affordable housing, mounting
debt, that's what we live every day while underfoot throng wealth and few profit from it.
If we want India no longer a minority paradise and hardship for most, it is necessary to
make progress in regaining control of our wealth and put it at the service of the Chilean
people. The struggle for the re-nationalization of copper and other natural resources is
key to the country's social development.
Related Link: http://periodico-solidaridad.blogspot.coron : m/
Bron : a-infos-en@ainfos.ca