Bolivia Protesters Reject President's Olive Branch (This Freeper's Livin' it!)

Reuters ^ | Thu October 16, 2003 09:42 AM ET | By Alistair Scrutton

[EsclavoDeCristo]

Bolivia Protesters Reject President's Olive Branch Thu October 16, 2003 09:42 AM ET

By Alistair Scrutton LA PAZ, Bolivia (Reuters) - Indigenous leaders on Thursday rejected Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada's attempt to defuse a deadly revolt and promised to continue protesting until the "butcher" quit.

As police in the blockaded capital stepped in to calm restless crowds jostling for scarce supplies like bread, the leaders of the monthlong uprising said the president's offer to change some of his hated free-market policies was too little, too late.

"The only thing the people want is this butcher's resignation," indigenous leader Felipe Quispe told local radio.

An estimated 74 people have been killed in clashes between security forces and mostly indigenous protesters furious with endemic poverty and inequality in South America's poorest country. A U.S.-led effort to eradicate coca plantations and an unpopular plan to export natural gas sparked the unrest.

Jaime Solares, head of a major labor union, added: "Let him not just leave the government, but Bolivia as well. And may he take the ambassador from the United States with him."

The Permanent Assembly of Human Rights, Bolivia's main human rights group, raised the death toll estimate from 55 to 74 people on Thursday and said 198 others have been injured, the group's director, Waldo Albarracin, told Reuters.

Sanchez de Lozada late on Wednesday had stood side by side with partners from his frayed coalition, saying "Bolivian democracy was never in such grave danger" as he made what could be a last-ditch attempt to save his job.

It was unclear whether protests would intensify on Thursday. As the sun came up on the mountain capital, the streets were empty except for a few nervous taxi drivers who were hissed at by pedestrians.

Some said the president's effort to extend an olive branch might bear results.

"For the first time in this crisis the president has taken the political initiative," said Jorge Lazarte, a political analyst. "It's a move that could prove very difficult for the opposition to respond to."

MARCHERS CONVERGE ON CAPITAL

Sanchez de Lozada promised a referendum on the gas project, a reform of energy laws and constitutional changes. With the capital burdened by barricades and basic foods like bread and eggs in scarce supply, the president's proposal may find support among some sectors of a population who face increasing difficulty to feed their families.

But other Bolivians are furious at the deaths of many Indian miners and farmers shot by troops and police. Some of their children scream in horror at the sight of armed police on motorcycles speeding through their neighborhoods on patrol.

Protests have gathered momentum and spread throughout the country of 8 million people. Central Obrera Boliviana, a major union, said thousands of its women would go on hunger strike in Roman Catholic churches. Men would dig holes in roads across Bolivia to widen blockades that have paralyzed the economy.

Thousands of coca farmers and workers, including other miners who blew up dynamite sticks on cobbled colonial streets, rallied in the center of La Paz on Wednesday only blocks away from a presidential palace guarded by a ring of riot police.

Heightening tensions, the army fought to block a column of dynamite-wielding miners from streaming into La Paz, leaving two dead. They said the miners were trying to smuggle dynamite, arms and ammunition into the city. (additional reporting by Rickey Rogers and Rene Villegas)

[EsclavoDeCristo]

It looks like the only thing that will satisfy these groups is the president's resignation. The disturbing thing is that one of the leading opponents to the president is Evo Morales who is the leader of M.A.S. party (Movemiento a Socialismo or Movement Towards Socialism).

Classes have been canceled indefinately while we wait to see what happens! God Bless.

[KantianBurke]

let the socialists obtain power and then watch how fast Atlas shrugs. One thing you can count on 3rd worlders for: agitating for discredited ideologies.

[EsclavoDeCristo]

looks like communism is alive and well....

[Frohickey]

What is the state of the right to keep and bear arms in Bolivia?

Because every time socialism takes hold, mass executions are soon to follow, usually by government.

[marron]

If the socialists manage to drive him from power, there will be no hope for Bolivia for at least another generation.

The best thing he can do, if he has the courage, is to stand them down by whatever means necessary. He was elected, not they. Stand them down, and build the pipeline. He had best get to it quickly. A project like that will put 5,000 people to work at jobs that pay better than any others around. That will make an instant difference in the ecnonomy, and the long term benefit will help to balance the country's budget and get them back on firm footing, at least until the socialists figure out new ways to spend it.

But if he moves ahead to build the pipeline, he must understand that they will throw everything at him, he will have 4 years of constant demonstrations and national strikes, the environmentalists will take him to court in Europe to try and cut off funding, the miners and coca farmers will fight to shut off supplies to the project.

But if he gives in Bolivia is doomed to remain a backwater, and as a failed state it will eventually be a haven for FARC and FARC-cousins.

[Choose Ye This Day]

¿Qué haces en Bolivia? ¿Estudiando...qué?

[germanicus]

I've been following this for a few days. Can someone tell why these people are so upset about exporting gas to the US?

[EsclavoDeCristo]

Español

[RockDoc]

You need to get on Instant Messenger and talk to your mom. I talked on the phone with her for about half hour tonight. Of course she is concerned about your safety. Take care son, you are in our prayers. Dad

[EsclavoDeCristo]

I don't know much, but I'll tell you what I know. From what I have experienced thusfar, there is a huge mistrust of the government, almost to the point of expecting their officials to be lying. Also, there is a big rift between the indian population who are mostly poor farmers and the white/mestizo(mixed white and indian) who have most of the good jobs and money. In Bolivia, "the people" own the mineral rights, not the individual land owner. Individual land owners are only entitled to receive money for surface damage to their land since the state owns whats below it. Also, there are many political parties here and the current president only won by thirty something percent. Another bone is that Bolivia does not want the gas line going through Chile to whom Bolivia lost its only access to the ocean during a war in the late 1800's. Thats about all I understand of it.

[EsclavoDeCristo]

I'm talking to Mom now. Thanks Dad. I'll keep you updated.

[germanicus]

It seems basically that the people mistrust these resources being handled by the government, maybe fear of possible corruption. I thought that maybe it was an animosity towards the US by the people. It appears the problem goes much deeper and is more confusing than the media portrays. Thanks for the insight.