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TITLE: Negotiations With Coca Growers May Falter-Government Acceeds To Pensioners Demands |
AUTHOR: |
DATE: May 9, 2001 |
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Negotiations Between Coca Growers And The Government Continue, But May Falter A commission of coca growers and government officials established as a result of the "Act of Understanding" agreement signed by the COMUNAL (organizations participating in the March for Life and Sovereignty) and the government on May 3rd, continues to review past agreements. Although the government has been willing to discuss the modification of the regions designated for eradication in the La Paz Yungas, little headway has been made concerning agreements made with Chapare coca growers. There are two issues currently on the table: a) In 1997 the government agreed to build an agro-industrial complex to process and pack alternative crops (as of yet, this has not happened) b) In October of 2000 the government promised increased coca grower participation in alternative development programs through Chapare municipal governments as well as the cancellation of the construction of three military bases in the region Union leaders sustain that the government has showed little interest in discussing controversial anti-drug Law 1008. One of their primary demands is the modification of this legislation. They are particularly concerned about an article mandating jail terms and land confiscation for the planting of illegal coca. Bolivian government officials have stated that they will begin to enact this previously un-enforced clause. Law 1008 was instituted in 1988 as a result of extreme pressure from the U.S. government. As a result, the Bolivian government could risk U.S. anti-drug certification, if they modify the law. Coca growers state that if discussion of Law 1008 does not occur by Friday, May 11th, they may break off dialogue and reinstate blockades. COB Dialogues With Government And Continue To March The Bolivian Workers´ Union (COB) is participating in talks with the government. However, the national assembly has made it clear that their willingness to dialogue, in no way, implies an end to the protest march from Oruro to La Paz. The march, consisting of about 3,500 workers, is expected to reach La Paz before the weekend. The COB has called for the cooperation of all social sectors in an indefinite national strike. They sustain that the strike will continue until the government has resolved protest demands. During COB and government official negotiations Monday, the government responded to the 15 priority demands. COB leaders complained that the government response failed to address the demand for modifications of structural adjustment law 21060 or COB members' request for a 50 percent wage increase. Government Agrees To Pensioners Demands After Death Of Elderly Strikers Over 3000 retired pensioners throughout the country, claimed a costly victory today to their 13 day hunger strike, as government officials agreed to pension increases soon after the death of one pensioner early this morning. The strikers demanded modifications to the current pension law, which had been promised to them in the Patacamaya agreement, signed March 21st of this year. The changes should allow for a minimum pension increase to 850 Bs. per month. In a meeting Sunday between government officials and leaders of the pensioners' movement, José Luis Lupo, Minister of Economic Development stated that the government wants to resolve the present conflict, but lacks the funds to do so. It remains to be seen if government will actually pay pensioners the agreed upon amount. In response to the government's lack of action, striking pensioners had engaged in extreme methods of protest such as crawling on their knees, mock crucifixion of men, women, children and the elderly, simulated funeral services, and finally the death of 61 year old Bautista Flores Vincente. On medical advice, Flores withdrew from the hunger strike last Friday, however his health continued to deteriorate until his death yesterday morning. Vincente was protesting his monthly pension of 355.50 Bolivianos (about US $54.00). Court Rules Against Evo Morales Yesterday the Cochabamba Superior District court ruled against congressman and coca grower leader Evo Morales in a habeas corpus filed by Chapare merchant Miguel Zambrana. The court's main argument in the ruling is that Morales ordered the Cochabamba-Chimoré (Chapare) road blockade which was thereby threatening, suppressing and restricting Zambrana's right to free transit. This verdict could potentially lead to Morales´ expulsion from congress, thereby establishing the possibility of his being charged and tried. For more information please contact: paz@albatros.cnb.net or kledebur@albatros.cnb.net END |