Bolivia Morales for Assembly Dialog

La Paz
Sep 8
Bolivian President Evo Morales pleaded for dialogue at the Constituent Assembly to solve the problems set by rightist sectors that called a 24-hour regional stoppage on Friday.

Morales said that despite provocations by traditional parties, talks among parties at the Constituent Assembly are advancing in southern Sucre city to overcome differences over the forum s rules.

After minimizing today s protest, he accused those leaders of the civic committees in Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni and Pando provinces, chief strike promoters, of wanting to terrify the people.

The statesman noted that the action is an expression of hatred and disdain of the opposition minorities for native peoples.

After recognizing that marches and other forms of protest in Bolivia are constitutional, he said they must be due to the will of a movement or a social sector and not imposed by intimidation.

Morales denied that the army is under emergency state and added the National Police will act according to its duties to guarantee order and free movement in the striking regions.

The dignitary also referred to his brief visit to Cuban President Fidel Castro, who is recovering from an intestinal surgery.

He expressed satisfaction with the swift recovery of the Caribbean leader, stressing his permanent concern for health and education in Bolivia, the development of the illiteracy campaign and the work of medical and ophthalmology centers.