[NYTr] Bolivian Police Mobilized to Confront Opposition

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

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

Bolivian Police Mobilized to Confront Opposition

La Paz, Dec 12 (Prensa Latina) The Bolivian Government ordered the
deployment of a police contingent in southern Santa Cruz Department on
Wednesday, anticipating attacks on public institutions that may ensue
with the announcement of de facto autonomy.

Government spokesman Alex Contreras explained that the only purpose of
the mobilization is to guard public and private assets in Santa Cruz.

Civic leaders and prefects of Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Beni, Pando and
Tarija are expected to declare de facto autonomies on Saturday, in
violation of the Constitution and democracy.

Contreras rejected the violence entailed by these autonomies, but
reiterated both the government's refusal to decree a state of siege and
the call to dialogue to find solutions to the current situation,
despite the reluctance from opposition prefects and civil authorities.

"The only path we know is dialogue; therefore, we will insist, so that
these authorities show a willingness to talk and find peaceful
solutions," he asserted.

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PL-40