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| Protests in Bolivia for nationalisation of oil, gas Lima | May 24, 2005 3:42:09 PM IST Lima, May 24 : Thousands of demonstrators came onto the streets of Bolivia's capital La Paz demanding President Carlos Mesa's resignation and nationalisation of the country's lucrative oil and gas industry, reports Xinhua. The country's largest opposition party, Movement to Socialism (MAS), organised the demonstration Monday in San Francisco Square in La Paz to press for the nationalisation of the country's gas and oil industry. MAS leader Evo Morales called for "modifying the new Hydrocarbons Law," enacted by Bolivia's congress last Tuesday, to include increases in the payment of taxes and royalties on foreign oil firms. A strike was also staged in El Alto, 14 km from La Paz. Trade unions and grass roots organisations participated in the demonstrations and called for Mesa's resignation and the closing of congress. The current unrest was sparked by a law passed by the congress establishing a 50-percent tax on foreign oil and gas companies operating in Bolivia. Opponents first demanded higher taxes but gradually turned their demand to the nationalisation of the oil and gas industry. Interior Minister Saul Lara rebuffed reports about a possible coup in the country, saying the armed forces "have renewed their obedience to the civil power" and that "they will only intervene in an extreme case." Riot police and the military reinforced security and vigilance on Murillo Square in La Paz, where the country's executive and legislative branches are located. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, although there were reports of minor clashes between police and the demonstrators. (IANS)
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