MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine-Brazilian delegation to Bolivia.

Argentine and Brazilian presidents have sent two special envoys to Bolivia to help find a solution to the political and social crisis that has left a toll of dozens of protestors killed, virtually paralyzed all economic activity and has the country in the verge of an institutional meltdown.

The mission of observers headed by Argentina's Latinamerican Affairs Secretary Eduardo Sguiglia and Marco Aurelio García, President Lula da Silva foreign policy advisor, is scheduled to meet the main political leaders of Bolivia including president Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada whose resignation protestors are demanding; Evo Morales, the outstanding figure of the civilian unrest and other members of the ruling coalition.

Bolivia's capital La Paz is virtually under siege by demonstrators who have interrupted supplies and fuel and are demanding the exit of Mr. Sanchez de Lozada and a review of all the hydrocarbons legislation of the country.

Sanchez de Lozada called in the Army to impose law and order in La Paz, and although still loyal to the constitutionally elected President, the Armed Forces are expected to support any political solution to the crisis that is legitimated by Congress.

Indian and peasant leader Ivo Morales has his headquarters in Cochabamba and although he originally was willing to accept a constitutional initiative review that would open the way for a referendum on the oil issue, he's now also pressing for the demise of the president as other more radical Indian leaders are demanding.

The month long crisis that has left over seventy people killed and 400 wounded was triggered when it was revealed that Bolivian oil and gas would be exported to the United States most probably through a pipeline that is expected to cross territory in neighbouring Chile.

The heavy handed presidential policy of ignoring original protests and calling in the Army only helped to create greater opposition. The country faces an indefinite stoppage, civil unrest has extended from La Paz to other cities and the ruling coalition, in spite of reiterated United States support, is barely holding together.

Argentina and Brazil who traditionally share regional influence in Bolivia could now be in a good position to help Bolivia return to normality.