Armed forces reject statement from military officers in Bolivia
The armed forces of Bolivia rejected Wednesday the statement issued by two military officers who demanded the resignation of President Carlos Mesa, closing of the congress and nationalization of oil and gas.

A communique of the armed forces, signed by Commander in Chief Luis Aranda, termed as "seditious and irresponsible" the remarks by lieutenant-colonels Julio Galindo and Julio Herrera, and said that both will be sanctioned under military law.

"We want to bring peace to the country. The armed forces are cohesioned and united," said Aranda to the press.

Defense Minister Gonzalo Arredondo said Galindo and Herrera "are individuals without future in the armed forces who are ready to say anything."

Meanwhile, in cities of La Paz and El Alto, demonstrations continued to demand the resignation of Mesa, closing of the congress and nationalization of hydrocarbon resources.

People also demanded the call for a constitutional assembly.

The current unrest in Bolivia was sparked by a law passed by the congress imposing a 50-percent tax on foreign oil and gas companies operating in Bolivia. Opponents first demanded higher taxes but gradually turned their demand to the nationalization of the lucrative oil and gas industry.