MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivian Congress surrounded and stalled

Bolivia's congressional leaders were unable to reach on Wednesday a consensus on the agenda for the resumption of legislative activity plunging the country into further uncertainty as to how to address the current political situation that is threatened by a split between the rich east and poor west and highlands.

Meantime the country remains isolated by land from four neighbouring countries after protesters blocked all highways leading abroad.

The National Highway Service reported Wednesday night that rocks and pickets in 41 points in six of the country's nine provinces impeded traffic to Argentina, Peru, Chile and Paraguay.

Protestors are demanding Congress vote on the outright nationalization of hydrocarbons resources and the convening of a constitutional assembly.

Congress could not meet on Tuesday because many Senators and Deputies could not get across the barriers set up by protestors in the capital La Paz.

"Many people stayed in their provinces because they had no way to fly to La Paz, and others, who are coming overland, simply because there are blockades and the capital was flooded with protestors" said Mario Cossio speaker of the Lower House.

However, Mr. Cossio also admitted that legislators could not agree on the agenda, with some demanding a vote on an autonomy referendum for the provinces while others were insisting in a constitutional review.

Representatives from the regions demanding greater self-government, led by Santa Cruz, but also including Pando, Tarija and Beni ?wealthy provinces of the east- along with some conservative political parties want to set a date for the referendum (next August) and address the constitutional debate later.

But the main group in Congress, Movement Toward Socialism, MAS, and one of the leaders of the blockades Evo Morales is adamant in dealing first with the constitutional review and the energy issue.

"The country is on the verge of ignition" warned Mr. Morales who fears that greater provincial autonomy could mean lesser funds for the central government since most of the rich natural gas deposits are in the wealthy east of Bolivia.

President Carlos Mesa who remains in the political dark overwhelmed by events, praised police forces for the "respect towards human rights and citizens' safety with which they are addressing the current situation".