[NYTr] Fate of Bolivia Uncertain

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

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

Fate of Bolivia Uncertain

La Paz, Dec 12 (Prensa Latina) Bolivia"s governing party and opposition
are once again measuring their strength Wednesday, leading the nation
to a dangerous path with an uncertain ending.

On the one hand, the government defends its democratic process of
social change, and on the other, traditional parties cling to their
inherited privileges, and act with violence and despair.

A popular celebration for the recently approved constitutional
proposal, and the implementation of de facto autonomies in several
departments have been scheduled for the weekend..

In views of imminent confrontations and the spiral of violence pounding
the country for weeks, President Evo Morales has repeatedly called for
dialogue to solve national problems.

ó I call for authorities and legally elected departmental leaders to
work together in regards with the new Constitution, the autonomy law,
and autonomic statute, ó Morales said in a message to the nation.

The constitutional text is rejected by mayors Ruben Costas (Santa
Cruz), Mario Cossio (Tarija), Leopoldo Fernandez (Pando), Ernesto
Suarez (Beni), and Manfred Reyes (Cochabamba), who announced the
implementation of de facto autonomies.

The president announced such actions attempt against national unity,
are unlawful, unconstitutional, and separatist, and rejected them, but
recognized the right of some sectors to protest.

But opposition groups refuse to solve the differences and continue with
force and other measures including an eight-day hunger strike widely
covered by the media but hardly recognized by the people.

hr dig cmv mf PL-14