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Bolivians strike in charter row 'Huge support' for Bolivia strike
(about 3 hours later)
Opposition leaders in four of Bolivia's nine provinces have led a one-day general strike in protest at plans to rewrite the country's constitution. Opposition leaders in five of Bolivia's nine provinces have claimed massive support for a one-day strike in protest at plans to rewrite the constitution.
The strike was called against plans to allow a constituent assembly to amend the charter by simple majority vote. The action is widely seen as the biggest challenge yet to the authority of President Evo Morales.
His opponents stayed home or blocked roads, as police used tear gas on protesters in the city of Santa Cruz.
The strikers are objecting to plans to allow a constituent assembly to amend the charter by simple majority vote.
A power struggle between Bolivia's wealthier, white elite - which opposes the changes - and its indigenous majority is at the heart of the row.A power struggle between Bolivia's wealthier, white elite - which opposes the changes - and its indigenous majority is at the heart of the row.
On Friday morning opposition leaders said the strike had "massive support". In Santa Cruz, buses, schools and businesses were reported to have closed.
In the prosperous south-eastern city of Santa Cruz, in Santa Cruz province, buses, schools and businesses were reported to have closed.
Protesters blocked roads into the city, where the streets were deserted, the Associated Press reported.Protesters blocked roads into the city, where the streets were deserted, the Associated Press reported.
In Santa Cruz and Tarija, another state in which a general strike had been declared, street clashes were reported between strike leaders and members of unions supportive of the president. Strike leaders fought members of unions supportive of the president in the city's streets.
Strikes were also taking hold in Benin and Pando states. Strikes were also taking hold in Beni and Pando states.
Together, the four states form a crescent-shaped area that curves around Bolivia's south-eastern lowlands - known as the "Media Luna" or Half Moon. They are home to about a third of Bolivia's population, including most of its white European-descended minority.Together, the four states form a crescent-shaped area that curves around Bolivia's south-eastern lowlands - known as the "Media Luna" or Half Moon. They are home to about a third of Bolivia's population, including most of its white European-descended minority.
'Totalitarian''Totalitarian'
"The support for the strike is robust, massive," said German Angelo, president of the Civic Committee of Santa Cruz."The support for the strike is robust, massive," said German Angelo, president of the Civic Committee of Santa Cruz.
On Thursday, he told reporters he wanted to "defend democracy from the totalitarian intentions of the Morales government".On Thursday, he told reporters he wanted to "defend democracy from the totalitarian intentions of the Morales government".
One of the central demands of the mass social movements which helped get Mr Morales elected was that Bolivia's constitution be rewritten. Indigenous activists say the charter entrenches the dominance of the non-indigenous elite.One of the central demands of the mass social movements which helped get Mr Morales elected was that Bolivia's constitution be rewritten. Indigenous activists say the charter entrenches the dominance of the non-indigenous elite.
Mr Morales established the constituent assembly in August, but lacks the support of two-thirds of delegates he needs to push through changes.Mr Morales established the constituent assembly in August, but lacks the support of two-thirds of delegates he needs to push through changes.
He wants each article to be passed by a simple majority, with two-thirds support needed only to ratify the final document -while the opposition accuses the government of changing the rules illegally.He wants each article to be passed by a simple majority, with two-thirds support needed only to ratify the final document -while the opposition accuses the government of changing the rules illegally.
'Making problems''Making problems'
But the BBC's Damian Kahya in La Paz says the strike is about more than procedures.But the BBC's Damian Kahya in La Paz says the strike is about more than procedures.
Bolivians in the tropical south-east are threatening to break away The strikers oppose sweeping changes to Bolivia's constitution
The four eastern regions - which hold most of Bolivia's wealth and natural gas - also recently voted for autonomy, something Mr Morales opposes.The four eastern regions - which hold most of Bolivia's wealth and natural gas - also recently voted for autonomy, something Mr Morales opposes.
A spokesman for the Bolivian government, Pablo Solon, said the strike was about more than day-to-day politics.A spokesman for the Bolivian government, Pablo Solon, said the strike was about more than day-to-day politics.
"In order to have more for the poor sector there is a rich sector that has to give something up and of course this rich sector is going to try to make as much problem as you can see. And you're going to see that.""In order to have more for the poor sector there is a rich sector that has to give something up and of course this rich sector is going to try to make as much problem as you can see. And you're going to see that."
Our correspondent says many strikers also feel marginalised by the government.Our correspondent says many strikers also feel marginalised by the government.
Mr Morales has offered to negotiate with his opponents. The strength of Friday's strike will determine how much he will need to compromise, our correspondent adds.Mr Morales has offered to negotiate with his opponents. The strength of Friday's strike will determine how much he will need to compromise, our correspondent adds.