Bolivian Constitution Must Mirror People´s Opinion, says Minister
Juan Ramon Quintana, Minister of the Presidency, stated Sunday the new Constitution must reflect the feeling of millions of Bolivians, posing a challenge to the 255 members of the recently elected Constituting Assembly.

In his opinion, before taking their posts next August 6 in the southern city of Sucre, representatives of the different political parties should go to their grassroots to collect criteria and aspirations of the population of the future State, the "new Bolivia we all wish for", he said.

The dialog arena provided by that forum, Quintana told Prensa Latina, is vital to refound the country and demands serious and convincing arguments on the change process promoted by Evo Morales´s government.

Quintana emphasized the constitutional Project should be ready in six months to a year, after which it will be submitted to a national referendum. In that context, it is essential to listen to the people´s proposals about its territory and those referred to the whole nation, underlining the social aspect, he reflected.

The minister highlighted the Movement to Socialism (MAS) victory with the 50.4 per cent of the votes in last July 2 elections, ratified the changes process led by his administration, but permanent contact with the masses will not be dodged.

He explained none of the political forces obtained two thirds of the Constituting Assembly seats, necessary to aprobé the new Charter. Quintana also said that MAS has enough capacity to convince and negotiate consensus with other parties, in order to argue in favour of government programs intended to benefit all Bolivians.

At a popular gathering in Aiquile, central department of Cochabamba, his native town, Quintana affirmed every citizen will reach their goals, but it is previously necessary to guarantee free access to health care, education and a much more dignified life.