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Chilean gov't
announces mourning for
anti-Pinochet Communist leader
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Bolivian president to submit
resignation Monday
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9 killed in grenade attack in
Colombia
Bolivian president to submit resignation Monday
Embattled Bolivian President Carlos Mesa announced Sunday that he will
submit his resignation to the National Congress on Monday.
The decision to resign is for the consideration of the country and for
the citizens of Bolivia, Mesa said in a nationally broadcast address.
In the address, Mesa accused various political and social organizations
of "blocking" the country by organizing protests and demonstrations,
according to reports from Bolivia.
It was not immediately clear whether he would be replaced by an interim
leader or snap elections would be called before the presidential term
ends in 2007.
Mesa's government has faced a series of protests in recent weeks, with
street demonstrations and road blockades throughout the country.
Demonstrators set roadblocks on nine important routes of the South
American country to protest against fuel price hikes while the Santa
Cruz province called for autonomy.
A mass work stoppage were also staged in the city of El Alto to demand
an immediate closure of the French-owned firm, which was accused of
failing to fulfill its program and drastically raising the prices of
water and sewage services.
Mesa attempted to resolve differences by making important concessions,
but finally decided to quit as the crisis showed no signs of abating.
Mesa took office in October 2003 after former President Gonzalo Sanchez
de Lozada resigned in face of violent protests that claimed at least 86
lives and paralyzed the impoverished country.
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