Colombian President To
Visit
Venezuela, Brazil
Venezuelan President Expresses
support for Bolivian Counterpart
Bolivian President
Vows To Continue
Hunger Strike Until Electoral Law Passes
Venezuela
Communes Thrive in Crisis
Bolivian President
Vows To Continue
Hunger Strike Until Electoral Law Passes
La Paz - Bolivian
President Evo Morales on Sunday pledged to
continue his hunger strike until the
congress passes a new electoral law.
Morales announced his decision in an address
to the nation, which was televised by a
state-run station.
He started fasting last Thursday in the
government palace as a response after the
opposition lawmakers walked out of the
Congress earlier the day during a debate on
the electoral law.
The opposition rejected the law because it
would give 14 places in the Congress to
minority indigenous groups.
However, those changes were included in the
new Constitution, approved by people's
referendum with more than 60 percent of the
votes in January.
The new constitution calls for the Congress
to approve the new electoral law before
April 9 and ratify Dec. 6 as the date for
the next general election.
Although Morales' ruling government controls
the presidency and holds a firm grip on the
lower house, opposition lawmakers holds a
majority in the Senate, allowing his
opponents to block the proposal.
The opposition claimed that the bill would
benefit Morales's reelection bid as it would
give more seats to minority indigenous
groups, among whom Morales enjoys remarkable
popularity.
Since he started his strike, Morales has
been supported by some20 leaders of labor,
peasant and regional organizations. More
than1,000 other people have also joined the
strike across the country.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also voiced
support for his move when Chavez called
Morales on Sunday.
Chavez told Morales "Go ahead, we are with
you. This is the same fight for the Latin
American peoples."
The telephone conversation was broadcast
live on Venezuelan Local TV chain Telesur.
On Friday, the President of the UN General
Assembly Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann called
the international community to support
Morales.
Meanwhile, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro
said in a newspaper article that he has "no
doubt at all that Evo (Morales) will be
successful" in his hunger strike.
Morales was elected in December 2005, and
took office in January 2006 with a five-year
term. Opponents of Morales claim his move to
pass the new law is to secure a second term
in office.
As Bolivia's first indigenous Indian
president, Morales is considered a favorite
to win the election. Recent polls showed
that he would far lead his closest rivals if
a presidential race was held now.
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