Bolivian dialogue to end political stand-off moves forward

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‘Fragile dialogue between the Bolivian government and its opponents appeared to move forward late Tuesday as the two sides backed a framework for talks,’ reports Patrick McDonnell of the L.A. Times from Santa Cruz.

‘Negotiators hammered out an agreement on issues to be discussed, including the controversial distribution of revenues from natural gas and petroleum. Five provinces aligned against President Evo Morales are calling for a greater share of the energy funds.’

‘ ‘Dialogue is the only path for the nation,’ said Ruben Costas, governor of the eastern province of Santa Cruz, an opposition stronghold. ‘We have decided to sign this document to bring back peace.’ ‘

‘Mario Cossio, the governor of Tarija province and the opposition point man in talks with the government, signed the document here Tuesday. He voiced hope that Morales would endorse the move toward conciliation.’ For more posts on Bolivia, read here.
-- Reed Johnson in Los Angeles

Photo: A riot police officer keeps watch over residents shouting slogans outside the military airport in El Alto, where the governor of the northern province of Pando was to arrive after being detained on genocide charges. Credit: Aizar Raldes / AFP / Getty Images