Revolution in Bolivia........

sarettah · 10-14-2003

Bolivia Calls for Calm as Revolt Chokes La Paz
2 hours, 47 minutes ago

By Rene Villegas

LA PAZ, Bolivia (Reuters) - Bolivia's embattled government appealed for calm on Tuesday as thousands of miners, peasants and farmers marched toward La Paz to join a popular revolt as the death toll in clashes with troops hit 53.

Rights officials said at least one worker was killed in the suburb of El Alto as thousands protested unpopular President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada's free market policies and failure to tackle endemic poverty in South America's poorest country.

The protests of the past month, which have choked food and fuel supplies into the paralyzed capital, were sparked by plans to export natural gas to the United States, with many Bolivians fearing the benefits would not reach the broad population.

The president shelved the gas project on Monday, but opposition to the gas plan exploded to include a myriad of other gripes in an economy that has been stagnant for the past 20 years. A total of 60 percent of the population scrape by on $2 a day or less.

Miner and peasant leaders said columns of protesters, some of whom have been marching for two days, were on Wednesday expected to reach La Paz -- where tires are burning in streets strewn with barricades of rocks erected by protesters.

10-14-2003	#1
sarettah Stay Out Of The Box Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lost in the ozone Posts: 10,318	Bolivia Calls for Calm as Revolt Chokes La Paz 2 hours, 47 minutes ago By Rene Villegas LA PAZ, Bolivia (Reuters) - Bolivia's embattled government appealed for calm on Tuesday as thousands of miners, peasants and farmers marched toward La Paz to join a popular revolt as the death toll in clashes with troops hit 53. Rights officials said at least one worker was killed in the suburb of El Alto as thousands protested unpopular President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada's free market policies and failure to tackle endemic poverty in South America's poorest country. The protests of the past month, which have choked food and fuel supplies into the paralyzed capital, were sparked by plans to export natural gas to the United States, with many Bolivians fearing the benefits would not reach the broad population. The president shelved the gas project on Monday, but opposition to the gas plan exploded to include a myriad of other gripes in an economy that has been stagnant for the past 20 years. A total of 60 percent of the population scrape by on $2 a day or less. Miner and peasant leaders said columns of protesters, some of whom have been marching for two days, were on Wednesday expected to reach La Paz -- where tires are burning in streets strewn with barricades of rocks erected by protesters. __________________ Free Adult Webcams