| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
LA PAZ : Bolivian President Evo Morales on Friday ruled out an armed clampdown on deadly street clashes between his backers and anti-government protesters and called for talks with opposition leaders.
At least eight people were killed and a dozen injured in a third day of violent clashes in parts of the country Thursday, as a diplomatic crisis escalated over the expulsion of the US ambassador to the country.
Despite pressure to show a "firm hand," Morales told journalists in a central region that he was the "first to ban the army and police from using firearms against the population."
The government "will keep favoring dialogue, for the dignity and unity of the country, despite provocations" from opposition leaders, Morales said, calling for talks at 2000 GMT in the presidential palace in La Paz.
Morales also accused the opposition of seeking to "divide Bolivia."
Protests against the leftist leader's plans to re-haul the constitution and redirect gas revenues turned violent this week as demonstrators in energy-rich eastern provinces stormed public offices, blocked roads and seized gas fields.
The conflict sparked a tit-for-tat diplomatic row after Morales on Wednesday ordered the US ambassador to La Paz to leave, accusing him of contributing to divisions in the country.
Washington then ordered the expulsion of Bolivia's ambassador to Washington, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday gave the US ambassador there 72 hours to leave, in a "solidarity" gesture to his ally Morales.
The US State Department on Friday said it had informed Venezuela's ambassador to Washington that "he will be expelled."
Amid the crisis, a report said that officials from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration had abandoned Bolivia's coca-growing region, a key area for drug-trafficking.
"They left yesterday (Thursday). Around 60 people were called to the (central) city of Cochabamba," said colonel Pastor Orellana, police commander of Chapare, quoted by La Razon newspaper. Administrative staff also left, the paper said.
- AFP /ls
|
