[www-features] re: Bolivia (Re: www-features Digest, Vol 23, Issue 14)

[Sunny Angulo]

so, sorry, I've been trying to follow the discussion about Bolivia on the
digest, but I see it's still not posted yet.  Sorry if I've already missed
this, but is there anyway that I can help?
Several of my co-publishers for NarcoNews are in Bolivia right now
reporting, and it is definitely much wider than a struggle for water. 
Luis Gomez wrote an excellent piece as of today:
http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2005/3/10/5230/00694
and has since posted another piece about the talks that have taken place
(on the 10th, not yet the 10th here in the US...)

Is there an update on what others have decided to post already?
>From my friend in Bolivia, translated in English:

"Every time i try to write an update, the whole scene changes here. The
latest is that President Mesa sat for 4+ hours at a table with Evo and
almost every other social movement leader today, trying to come to some
accord. The key is still gas with the left insisting on 50% taxes on
multinationals, and the govt. stuck at 18%, and insisting that the Indians
just don't understand their math. Talks just broke down. The lines are more
clearly drawn here than ever.  It's Evo, with all the unions and campesino
federations united for now vs. Mesa and the traditional parties. It has the
feel of Venezuela in the streets. Mesa called for mobilizations against road
blocks at noon today and they came out in big numbers to sing the national
anthem and scream for Evo's head, chanting "Mano Dura" (Iron fist, hard
line, repression). And it ended with MAS-istas and Mesa-sistas screaming and
shoving each other.  It should be a few more days before this becomes
clearer, but the battle seems to be just beginning."
n

Let me know if I can help!
paz,
Sunny