[NYTr] Bolivian Opposition Boycotts Constituent Assembly

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com


Bolivian Opposition Boycotts Constituent Assembly

Sucre, Bolivia, Aug 18 (Prensa Latina) The Bolivian Constituent Assembly
reached major agreements on the future Constitution of the country this
week, despite the opposition's efforts to sabotage the sessions.

However, the latest decision to rule out the plenary debate on the
capital of the country and refer it to a special commission has
hindered the work of the assembly, at which delegates have been holding
heated debates on whether the forum must be moved to a safer region
like Cochabamba.

According to authorities, the new maneuvers by groups opposing the
government are aimed at boycotting the Assembly, whose mandate has been
extended until December 14.

Presidential Spokesman Alex Contreras pointed out that those who
decided to attend a demonstration in Sucre Square, in the country's
historic capital, received some benefits.

The situation in the provinces of the central department of Chuquisaca
is normal.

Contreras added that some social organizations, including the Trade
Union Federation of Farmers, set Monday as the deadline to end
hostilities, which hamper the debates at the assembly.

Government Minister Alfredo Rada charged that members of the extremist
Union Juvenil Cruce¤ista, based in the eastern department of Santa Cruz,
were promoting violence at the rallies.

For his part, Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia called authorities
in Chuquisaca to present proposals in favor of the process of changes
and to abandon their inflexible stance, including their demand for power
centralization.

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