South American leaders hold emergency session on Bolivia

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Leaders of nine South American nations called Monday for Bolivians to ‘take all actions necessary’ to help calm the domestic turmoil threatening to split the fractured Andean country apart, reports Patrick J. McDonnell.

The hastily arranged summit, held in the Chilean capital, Santiago, underscored widespread fears that political violence in Bolivia could erupt into civil war.

The presidents expressed strong support for President Evo Morales and called for an end to violence that could break up the country.

But it was unclear what effect the meeting might have.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Click here to read the rest of this report on the summit of nine South American nations, and to read about events in Bolivia, click here.