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Bolivian Military Won't 'Confront' Citizens as Pressure on Morales Builds

Reuters

   LA PAZ, BOLIVIA - Bolivian President Evo Moralesdenounced the actions
   of "violent groups" early Saturday, hours after police forces were seen
   joining scattered protests,but the military weighed in later, saying it
   would not "confrontthe people" in a standoff over a disputed election.

   Morales, Latin America's longest-standing leader, won theelection on
   October 20, but a delay of nearly a day in the votecount has sparked
   allegations of fraud and led to protests,strikes and roadblocks.

   On Friday night, local television showed police in severalBolivian
   cities marching alongside protesters in apparent actsof disobedience
   and joining chants regularly used by theopposition.

   Adding to the pressure on Morales, the Armed Forces said ina statement
   on Saturday "that we will never confront the peopleto whom we have a
   duty and we will always ensure peace, co-existence and the development
   of our homeland."

   Criticism from foreign ministry

   In a tweet in the early hours of Saturday, Morales repeatedaccusations
   that "violent groups" were launching a coup againstthe state. The
   foreign ministry released a statement saying somepolice officers had
   "abandoned their constitutional role ofensuring the security of society
   and state institutions."

   At a news conference later in the day, Morales called anurgent meeting
   with the four political parties represented inparliament. By Saturday
   afternoon, at least two oppositionparties had rejected Morales'
   invitation and one had accepted.

   Morales said he would also invite internationalorganizations, including
   the Vatican, the United Nations and theOrganization of American States,
   which is conducting anaudit of the October vote.

   Luis Fernando Camacho, a civic leader from the eastern cityof Santa
   Cruz who has become a symbol of the opposition, andCarlos Mesa, the
   runner-up in October, reiterated their callsfor Morales -- the
   country's leader since 2006 -- to step down.

   "What we want here is to unite all Bolivians in a singlecause. We want
   President Evo Morales to leave," Camacho told anews conference.

   March set for Monday

   Camacho plans to lead a march to the government palace onMonday with a
   symbolic resignation letter for Morales to sign.

   Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro tweeted his support forMorales on
   Saturday.

   "We denounce before the world the attempted coupd'etatinprogress
   against the brother President Evo Morales," saidMaduro, who has been
   accused of corruption and human rightsviolations.

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