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Four Bolivian states seek more regional autonomy

Four states in open revolt against an overhaul to the Constitution by Bolivian President Evo Morales and his pro-indigenous allies declared their intention to create independent regional governments.

A 130-member assembly in the eastern opposition stronghold of Santa Cruz on Thursday approved an "autonomy statute" under which the state would hold on to nearly two-thirds of the tax revenues it currently turns over to central authorities.

Among measures contemplated in the statute is a police force for Santa Cruz, a lowland state that is Bolivia's wealthiest. Local leaders say they'll seek a state referendum in coming months to approve it.

The other states which said they would approve regional charters by today were Beni, Pando and Tarija, which with Santa Cruz represent some 35 percent of Bolivia's more than 8.5 million people. They said their statutes would be similar to Santa Cruz's but did not immediately provide details.

Morales' government called on its supporters to turn out today en masse in Santa Cruz, the eponymous capital of the eastern state, to protest the autonomy move.

Pro-autonomy civic leaders plan to present the statute to the public also today in the city, where protesters have in recent weeks tried to take over national government tax offices.

A standoff between pro- and anti-Morales forces has become increasingly tense since a rump assembly of Morales allies approved in two votes a draft constitution that would establish a multiethnic state with self-governing regions for indigenous groups.

The charter, which Bolivia's voters must approve in referendums to be held sometime next year, would shift more power to central authorities at the expense of the country's nine states.

The most adversely affected would be Santa Cruz, its leaders say. The state is the most prosperous in South America's poorest country, with major agribusinesses including extensive soy farms.

Morales' core support comes from the poor, indigenous majority that lives primarily in arid Andean highlands.

The country's first indigenous president, Morales considered his December 2005 election victory a mandate to reverse what he considers centuries of discrimination by a European-descended elite.

Vice President Alvaro Garcia, addressing leaders of the revolting states on national television Thursday, called on the scores of opposition members engaged in hunger strikes to cease them. He said he feared "a catastrophic standoff" had been reached in a power struggle of unforeseeable consequences.

The Morales government sent 400 police reinforcements to Santa Cruz this week, but denied sending soldiers.
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