Bolivian government cuts diesel price to defuse tension
20/1/2005 16:13
Bolivian President Carlos Mesa announced a 13 percent cut in the diesel
price Wednesday night in a bid to end massive protests against fuel price hikes
decreed late December, according to reports from Bolivia.
Mesa said in a
speech to the nation that the decision was made after consultation with various
parties involved, and he hoped the compromise could win back people's
understanding.
"We are capable of listening and compromising," he said,
adding that he was glad that so far protests have not spiraled into violent
conflicts.
The government decreed a 10 percent increase in the price of
gasoline and a 23 percent rise in diesel price on Dec. 30 to balance the budget.
The move triggered a wave of protests in major cities and paralyzed the capital
La Paz and the eastern department of Santa Cruz, as streets were blocked and
public transport was grounded.
Demonstrators occupied three local government
offices Wednesday in Santa Cruz, Bolivia's richest department. The main road to
the Santa Cruz airport have been blocked since early last week, when big
protests started. Some people even went on a hunger strike.
Protest
organizers welcomed Wednesday's announcement. "It's a good sign. It shows a
different attitude of humility and flexibility," said Carlos Dabdoub, spokesman
for the Santa Cruz civic group.
But the group said it will not call off
protests immediately because it needs more time to watch the government's next
move and judge the whole situation.
Wednesday's announcement is the second
time Mesa gave in to demonstrators' demands. Last week, Mesa canceled a
foreign-run utility concession which protesters said did not provide good
services.
Mesa has accused certain groups of trying to destabilize his
government with the protests. He said he would rather resign than spill blood on
the streets.
Xinhua
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