Bolivia

President's talks with governors end without progress

Article published on the 2008-08-15 Latest update 2008-08-15 14:07 TU

Evo Morales greets his supporters after the referendum results.
(Photo : Reza Nourmamode/RFI)

Talks between Bolivian President Evo Morales and a group of rebel governors have ended without agreement. Governors of five states in the country are accusing Morales of refusing to make any concessions on his agenda of redistributing the country's wealth among the poor, while Morales said the governors are only concerned about money.

"The general opinion is that the opposition governors only want money and don't want to address the political issues," said one indigenous leader.

Morales met with the opposition governors of the states of Tarija, Beni, Pando and Chuquisaca to try and resolve a crisis that has left the nation divided and almost ungovernable.

At stake is control of Bolivia's gas fields, which are the biggest in the region after those in Venezuela and provide 60 per cent of export income.

The opposition governors of the states in the eastern half of the country, where the gas resources are found, are pushing for autonomy so that they have greater access to the revenues.

The governors are to organise strikes next Tuesday, mounting the pressure on Morales.

Talks came after Sunday's referendum that confirmed Morales's mandate, while also renewing those of the state governors.

The Bolivian President enjoys majority support in his country, due to support of his nationalisation programme by the indigenous population.