Newsflash: January 17
Constituent Assembly
The Constituent Assembly returned to work Monday without having resolved the impasse on voting procedures. MAS representatives stated that they were determined to move forward, “with or without the opposition.” The assembly is concluding the selection of 21 new commissions and their leaders, whose first duty is to decide on voting procedures and set the representatives’ working hours.
Mercosur
Bolivia hopes to be admitted as a full member of MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela) this week at a summit in Rio de Janeiro. Morales will be in Brazil on Thursday and Friday to negotiate Bolivia’s entry.
Police Pay Raise
The central government announced that police and military officers will receive a 3.5% pay raise One member of the force stated that they had hoped for an increase to bring their salaries to the same level as the military — at least a 10% increase, but stated, “at least it’s something.” (La Razón 1-17-07) In is unclear to what degree this measure will alleviate growing tensions between these two forces.
Cochabamba Police Commander Wilge Obleas officially returned to his post after the Internal Affairs Division ruled that he was not responsible for the use of tear gas and other antiriot measures on January 15. His return effectively overturns the Government Ministers’ firing that same day.
Impunity
The Supreme Court ruled that ex-president Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, and his ministers Carlos Sánchez Berzaín and Jorge Berindoagüe, who currently resides in the United States, are all in contempt of court for refusing to appear on charges related to the “Black October” case. These charges include responsibility for the deaths of over 60 people and hundreds of injuries in September and October of 2003. The ruling now obviates the need for them to be served an international summons (letters rogatory) in the United States, which had previously impeded progress in the case. The ruling is an effort to solicit the extradition of the three men from the United States – a measure that the Bush administration does not support. Morales filled vacancies in the Supreme Court with temporary replacements at the end of 2006.