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'Huge support' for Bolivia strike Bolivia sees anti-reform protests
(about 6 hours later)
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. Opposition leaders in Bolivia's wealthier eastern regions say a one-day strike in protest at plans to re-write the constitution was a huge success.
The action is widely seen as the biggest challenge yet to the authority of President Evo Morales. But the government said the stoppage was a political failure, because support was limited to the east.
His opponents stayed home or blocked roads, as police used tear gas on protesters in the city of Santa Cruz. The action was widely seen as the biggest challenge yet to the authority of President Evo Morales.
The strikers are objecting to plans to allow a constituent assembly to amend the charter by simple majority vote.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.
Friday's strike prompted calls for compromise in what is seen as an increasingly polarised situation.
"We're headed, both parties, the opposition and the government - to extreme positions," Congressman Jose Ona from the conservative Podemos party told the Associated Press news agency.
"We have to try to create a dialogue and arrive at the type of conversations that can avoid these conflicts."
In Santa Cruz, buses, schools and businesses were reported to have closed.In Santa Cruz, 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, AP reported.
Strike leaders fought members of unions supportive of the president in the city's streets.Strike leaders fought members of unions supportive of the president in the city's streets.
Strikes were also taking hold in Beni and Pando states. Strikes also took place in three other 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 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. "This is a historic day of struggle for democracy and against authoritarianism," 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". But Interior Minister Alicia Munoz said the strike was a "total political failure" because few people took part.
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.
The strikers oppose sweeping changes to Bolivia's constitutionThe 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.