Tue, Nov 27, 2007 | News | Editorials |  |  |  |  | 420302967 visits

Front Page * No return to martial law: Chen * Mitag causes minor road damage, disrupts flights * Storm claims 10 lives in the Philippines * Bush launches his biggest Middle East peace attempt * Indonesia rocked by major earthquake, three people killed Taiwan News * 2009 World Games still on: Chiu * Taipei law firm aims for `carbon neutral' lifestyle * Online poll shows changing charity donations pattern * Chinese fisherman stabbed to death in Wanli Township * Two new dysentery cases announced in Taichung * MOFA slams China over Dublin post * Most tofu products contain hydrogen peroxide: TSU * Taiwan wants PRC nominee to WTO to vow fair treatment * Chinese married to foreigners to get multiple entry visas * Yu pleads not guilty at corruption hearing * Taiwan News Quick Take World News * Climate change tops Rudd's agenda * Georgians rally for return of independent TV * Kenyan police tortured, executed suspects: report * Lee Myung-bak leading in S Korean presidential poll * Korean chiefs of defense to discuss disputed sea border * Suspect in slaying speaks out * Chavez puts Colombia relations `in the freezer' * UK rights groups oppose extension of detention laws * At least two killed in Bolivian riots over Constitution * World News Quick Take Editorials * EDITORIAL: Give no quarter at the WTO * The price of Chinese corruption * Which name works for diplomacy? * Aboriginal autonomy draft falls quite short * China may come to rue hosting the Olympics * Brown's `big, clunking fist' misses the mark Sports * FIFA: World Cup draw proves cruel and kind * China's World Cup draw worst ever, says team manager * Derby County axe boss Davies * Wickets tumble as England bowling pair battle injuries * Tendulkar guides India to victory * NBA: Cavaliers earn third straight win * Russia make light work of Egypt * NFB: Patriots down Eagles to extend winning run * Badminton's big names out in force for HK tournament * Morrow goal helps Dallas to victory over NY Rangers * South Africa pull off unlikely ODI win * Trezeguet scores his 11th Serie A goal this season * Soccer fans killed as stands collapse * LFP: Villarreal miss out on top spot * CLB: Inter, Barca, Roma, Rangers all on the brink * Green saves spot kick to secure draw against Tottenham * Sport Briefs Business * IT Month expo set to wow consumers * Speculation about Olympics boosts phone firm shares * FSC says bourses in talks with HK over dual listings * Global Mobile to work with OpenWin * Spending surge in US sends Taiwanese shares higher * Seoul tops list of costliest Asian cities for expatriates * Hedge funds ditch Japan for Asia: Goldman Sachs * Low-cost S Korean airline set to begin operations in 2008 * Business Briefs World Business * Strong start to US holiday shopping * Virgin picked for Northern Rock rescue * ANALYSIS: US patents show Asian decoupling will be slow * China, France sign nuclear, airplane deals * World Business Quick Take Features * Drugs and more can ease chronic pain * SOCIETY: You can take the Chinese out of China ... Bilingual Pages * Pot luck art 「一人一道」 藝術盛宴 * Hysteria rocks Virginia high school 歇斯底里症震撼維州高校 * Survival Chinese
Photo News More World News Johnny Neihu
Back Issue << Full List TaipeiTimes Subscribe Advertise Employment FAQ About Us Contact Us Copyright Best View in Mozilla |
Search Most Read Story Most Viewed Photo | Enter your search terms Submit search form Taipei Times
Print
Mail
wiki links
At least two killed in Bolivian riots over Constitution AP, SUCRE, BOLIVIA Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007, Page 7 Riots convulsed Bolivia's colonial capital on Sunday after allies of Bolivian President Evo Morales approved the framework for a new constitution that would permit his indefinite re-election and radically alter Bolivian politics. At least two people, including a police officer, were killed. A full article-by-article version of the constitution, which would establish a multiethnic state with 36 self-governing regions for indigenous groups, has yet to be approved. But Morales on Sunday declared that the new charter's essence has now been determined. Voters will determine its fate, he said, without giving a date. "The constitution will be approved in a referendum by the people, which is the most democratic" way, said Morales. An Aymara Indian and coca growers' union leader, Morales' political playbook has followed closely that of his ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The unrest led national police commander General Miguel Vasquez to order all units out of Sucre, where the draft constitution was approved on Saturday, "to avoid more confrontations." He said the slain police officer had been "lynched" but offered no other details. Hospital officials said the other victim was a carpenter who died of injuries after being hit by a tear gas canister as protesters attacked police headquarters and set fire to a jail, allowing 100 inmates to escape. A third person, a lawyer previously identified as a student, was shot and killed on Saturday. Forty others were injured as protesters hurled rocks, Molotov cocktails and dynamite at police. Morales said the protests "were manipulated by oligarchic and neoliberal [pro-capitalist] groups that don't want change." "The heart of the matter is that some groups don't accept that an indigenous person is president," he said. Rioting began on Friday, after delegates to the constitutional assembly -- loyal to Morales and primarily from his governing Movement Toward Socialism party -- reconvened in a military garrison outside Sucre. They approved the framework for the constitution by a simple majority on Saturday, breaking a monthslong deadlock. All but three opposition delegates boycotted the assembly sessions. The document would allow the president unlimited re-election and would give central authorities greater control over public revenue disbursements at the expense of state governments. Opponents say the new constitution unfairly reduces the power of Bolivia's nine states. Branko Marinkovic, a top opposition leader in Santa Cruz, said the charter's approval was "made illegitimate with blood." The assembly must complete the new constitution by Dec. 14 and then submit it to a referendum. Under a complicated formula, only those articles not backed by two-thirds of the assembly must be approved by Bolivian voters. "The country is more divided than ever," said Ximena Costa, an independent political analyst. "We are talking now not about a polarization, but rather of fractures within Bolivian society." This story has been viewed 271 times. | Advertising