This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7117552.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Strike against Bolivian reforms Strike against Bolivian reforms
(about 8 hours later)
Six of the nine provinces in Bolivia are holding a one-day strike against a new draft constitution.Six of the nine provinces in Bolivia are holding a one-day strike against a new draft constitution.
Opposition leaders say the changes will concentrate too much power in the hands of the government.Opposition leaders say the changes will concentrate too much power in the hands of the government.
Left-wing President Evo Morales says the constitution will finally give indigenous and poor Bolivians a say in running the country. President Evo Morales says the constitution will finally give indigenous and poor Bolivians a say in running the country.
At the weekend four people died in protests against the reforms in the city of Sucre.At the weekend four people died in protests against the reforms in the city of Sucre.
Opposition leaders in the gas-rich provinces of Santa Cruz and Tarija say the strike is attracting widespread support.Opposition leaders in the gas-rich provinces of Santa Cruz and Tarija say the strike is attracting widespread support.
Television reports showed roadblocks in Bolivia's fourth-biggest city, Cochabamba.Television reports showed roadblocks in Bolivia's fourth-biggest city, Cochabamba.
There is no official comment so far on the strike, but earlier a government spokesman said it was being organised by "the oligarchy" and was doomed to failure. 'Defending neoliberalism'
On Monday, President Morales held a rally of his own in support of the reforms. Mr Morales condemned the strikers in a rally in the highland capital of La Paz.
Disputed capital There is disagreement about which city should be Bolivia's capital
"The strike... is against this process of change, the new economic model, against the nationalisation of natural resources," he was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.
"At heart, it's about defending the neoliberal model that has done so much harm to the country."
One key sticking point in the constitutional changes is the designation of Bolivia's capital.One key sticking point in the constitutional changes is the designation of Bolivia's capital.
Sucre has seen weeks of unrest by protesters supporting opposition plans to make the city the sole capital of Bolivia.Sucre has seen weeks of unrest by protesters supporting opposition plans to make the city the sole capital of Bolivia.
There is disagreement about which city should be Bolivia's capital
It is currently home to the Supreme Court, and was Bolivia's capital until 1899, but since then it has shared the title with La Paz.It is currently home to the Supreme Court, and was Bolivia's capital until 1899, but since then it has shared the title with La Paz.
Morales says Bolivia's indigenous poor have been denied a voice
Opposition anger is compounded by the way the government has pushed its reforms through the assembly elected to write the new constitution.Opposition anger is compounded by the way the government has pushed its reforms through the assembly elected to write the new constitution.
In the absence of opposition delegates, who boycotted the session, the assembly voted by a simple majority to approve all of President Morales's draft proposals.In the absence of opposition delegates, who boycotted the session, the assembly voted by a simple majority to approve all of President Morales's draft proposals.
Bolivians are also split over how much autonomy to give to its increasingly restless provinces such as Santa Cruz.Bolivians are also split over how much autonomy to give to its increasingly restless provinces such as Santa Cruz.
International concernInternational concern
The final draft constitution will be put to a national referendum but no date has yet been set.The final draft constitution will be put to a national referendum but no date has yet been set.
BBC South America correspondent Daniel Schweimler says Bolivia has a long history of political upheaval and appears to be heading for another crisis.BBC South America correspondent Daniel Schweimler says Bolivia has a long history of political upheaval and appears to be heading for another crisis.
The tension has led to international appeals for calm. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged all sides to refrain from violence.The tension has led to international appeals for calm. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged all sides to refrain from violence.
"In order to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights in Bolivia, the secretary general urges all political and social actors to remain calm, to abstain from using violence and to seek a consensus on the pressing issues affecting the Bolivian people," a statement from his office said."In order to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights in Bolivia, the secretary general urges all political and social actors to remain calm, to abstain from using violence and to seek a consensus on the pressing issues affecting the Bolivian people," a statement from his office said.
The US state department has called on President Morales and the opposition "to show restraint and tolerance".The US state department has called on President Morales and the opposition "to show restraint and tolerance".