Evo Morales
discounts coup
d’état in Bolivia
LA PAZ, May 25.—Evo Morales, leader of the
Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) of Bolivia, today
discounted any attempt at a coup d’état after two
army officers called for the dismissal of President
Carlos Mesa, condemned by the high military command,
Prensa Latina reports.
In a statement on the two lieutenant colonels,
Luis Galindo and Luis Herrera, Morales stressed the
popular and democratic roots of the MAS and its
position in defense of democracy.
Morales declined to comment in detail on the
proclamation of the cited officers in support of the
popular demanded expressed since last week in huge
street protests that once again today are besieging
the Murillo Plaza (the main square) and denied that
the dissident soldiers had been in contact with the
MAS.
He emphasized the democratic nature of the
current social struggles directed toward Congress
convening a constituent assembly to undertake far-reaching
reforms to the political and economic regime of
Bolivia, and reiterated that the social
organizations are going to defend democracy.
The coup proclaimed by the two officers was also
rejected by MAS deputy Gustavo Torrico, who stated
that the plan conceals a fascist plot, and by the
government deputy Hugo San Martin, who ratified his
adherence to President Mesa.
