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In Bolivia, Coup, Fraud Charges Mar Presidential Election

Associated Press

   LA PAZ, BOLIVIA - Bolivian President Evo Morales said Wednesday his
   opponents are trying to stage a coup against him as protests grow over
   a disputed election he claims he won outright, though a nearly finished
   vote count suggests it might head to a second round.

   The leftist leader needs a 10 percentage-point margin over his closest
   rival to avoid a December runoff in which he could risk being defeated
   by a united opposition in his bid for a fourth consecutive term in
   office.

   The vote count Wednesday had him with a 9.48 percentage point lead with
   3.22% of the votes from Sunday's election left to count. He led former
   President Carlos Mesa 46.49% to 37.01%.

   Mesa has warned of fraud and international vote monitors have expressed
   concern at an earlier unexplained daylong gap in reporting results
   before a sudden spurt in Morales' vote percentage. Opposition backers
   have staged rowdy protests since the vote.

   Authorities said Wednesday that the count had been stalled again
   because attacks on vote-count centers in three regions had prevented
   final tabulation of results.

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