June 2, 2005
Bolivia
Parliament has been deadlocked over the chronology of agenda
to address two key issues. eastern regions want the issue of regional
autonomy to be decided before the Constitutional Assembly is held,
because the outcome of the discussion would surely be different
if the Constitutional Assembly were held first. The current constitution
could allow those currently in power to achieve more benefit,
and possibly vote in favor of regional autonomy for the eastern
region, where all the oil and gas deposits are found, which would
essentially isolate and further impoverish the western, poorer,
Andean region, where La Paz is located. This is why many of the
majority, poor populations are insisting that the Constitutional
Assembly be held first, to restructure the government to distribute
power and decision-making among a broader base of the population.
This would probably place most of the current members of Parliament
out of power, so many are not eager to hasten the Constitutional
Assembly!
Under pressure from the strikes, demonstrations, etc., leaders
of Parliament representing different regions and committees have
signed a joint commitment last night to work hard to find consensus
on these issues.
Hundreds of persons staged an all-night vigil last night around
Parliament to keep up the pressure, saying “We’re
not tired! We’re feeling strong. We are ready for the long
haul.” On TV we could see them unpacking their traditional
dehydrated potatoes to prepare meals.
Unions of public transport drivers declared a 48-hour strike
starting today, Thursday, to pressure Parliament to set actual
dates for the discussion of regional autonomy and the Constitutional
Assembly. There is very little traffic in La Paz today. Schools
have been closed indefinitely and the media suggest young people
stay home. In spite of rumors of an attempted mutiny by one sector
of the police, the head of the police met with the president last
night, explained there had been a misunderstanding, and expressed
100 percent support of the president. The U.S. government is calling
for the Organization of American States to address the situation
in Bolivia.
We are staying home today and watching continuous television
news updates from the center of La Paz. There have been general
expressions of hopefulness and repeated affirmations by government,
civilian groups, unions, and strike leaders of commitment to nonviolence.
We’ll keep you posted. The situation is in complete flux.
Pray for: President Carlos Mesa and Parliament members of all
stripes, and the people in the streets, for wisdom and tolerance
to prevail.
Please write us with your questions and comments. No question
is out of the question—we are on a learning curve here.
If we don’t know how to respond, we will try to find answers
from our Bolivian colleagues.
Previously planned meetings of UMAVIDA/Joining Hands have been
suspended for now, as transportation is a problem.
In Christ’s hope,
Julie and Bob
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
60 |
