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Bolivia

Two more provinces vote for autonomy

Article published on the 2008-06-03 Latest update 2008-06-03 11:34 TU

In Beni province, supporters of autonomy threw stones in clashes with supporters of President Morales(Photo: Reuters)

In Beni province, supporters of autonomy threw stones in clashes with supporters of President Morales
(Photo: Reuters)

Two provinces in eastern Bolivia demanded that the government recognise the results of their weekend vote for regional autonomy on Monday. The national government have declared the referendums illegal. The vote came a month after Santa Cruz province also voted for autonomy.

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“We ask respect for our sovereign decision to be autonomous,” said the governor of Beni province, Ernesto Suarez.

Results of the vote in Beni and Pando province will not be finalised for five days, but unofficial results show more than 80 per cent in favour.

The Morales government said it would not recognise the results.

“The statutes are illegitimate, illegal, unconstitutional and separatist,” said the interior minister Alfredo Rada.

The more well-off Santa Cruz province voted for autonomy in May.

Four regions in the eastern part of the country, which have most of the country’s oil and gas reserves, have been clamouring for autonomy.

The province of Tarija plans to hold a referendum on 22 June.

The provinces are resisting measures pushed by Bolivia’s leftist president, Evo Morales, that would redistribute land and resources, and benefit the poorer regions in the west.