Bolivia Dealys Hydrocarbon Nationalization

April 15, 2006, 3:08PM
Bolivia Dealys Hydrocarbon Nationalization


© 2006 The Associated Press

LA PAZ, Bolivia — The government will delay for several weeks a decree on nationalizing Bolivia's hydrocarbon resources, President Evo Morales' spokesman said in comments published Saturday.

The nationalization "merits planning," and the government will issue the decree "on a national holiday and not in the middle of a religious festival," spokesman Alex Contreras told El Deber newspaper, referring to Holy Week.
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A new Constitution is a central proposal for the leftist Morales, who was inaugurated in January. He has said rewriting Bolivia's charter will resolve widespread inequality, help distribute unused land to peasants and increase state control over Bolivia's natural resources, especially its vast natural gas reserves.

Morales and his Movement Toward Socialism party appear well-positioned to dominate the special election.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/3796051.html