Boliva latest

international | anti-capitalism | news report Wednesday October 15, 2003 19:01 by Sian Muldowney sianmuldowney at yahoo dot co dot uk Tupiza, Bolivia

Lozada has postponed the sale of the gas until December but protets continue.

The latest news is that Lozada has postponed any action concerning the sale of the gas until December 31, stating that he wishes to engage in talks with the opposition. Protests continue throughout the country, particulalry in La Paz, though the news on the t.v is still rehashing footage from the riots last week.

The opposition are continuing to exert pressure, increasing demonstrations and road blocks and calling for the resignation of Lozada. Lozada still insists that he will remain in office until 2007. The US are supporting him stating that they will not assist any undemocratic government!!

From the radio in the background, i just heard that the army is now protecting the presidential palace in La Paz. Large scale protests are to take place in other cities in Bolivia in the next few days, including Cochabamba, Sucre and Potosi. Santa Cruz which is traditionally very conservative in nature are also organising protests.The Minister of Economic Development has resigned.

Reports from La Paz tell of food markets being closed. There is a shortage of chicken, bread and fresh milk. Some bakeries are rationing the sale of bread to ten rolls per person. The petrol stations are desserted and locked up.

Presently where i am in the very south there has been little direct effect. It is, however, becoming increasibngly more difficuly to travel. We have been unable to get newspapers and are relying on the internet and television in restaurants. I beleive that flights out of La Paz are limited and that the French and German governments have advised against travel to Bolivia.

It has become very clear that despite Lozada´s postponement of the sale of the gas, the protestors are not going to let slide the issues raised during this campaign .