MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivian Indians proclaim Morales their supreme authority

Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales, dressed in a bright red tunic worn only by the most important pre-Inca priests, promised to do away with vestiges of his country's colonial past Saturday in a spiritual ceremony at an ancient temple on the eve of his inauguration.

Accompanied by his sister Esther, who will assume the role of First Lady of Bolivia, Morales arrived at the sacred enclosure 71 kilometers (44 miles) from La Paz, early in the afternoon to take part in the ritual.

The president-elect walked on a path of flowers to where Indian priests gave him their blessing, to the acclaim of thousands of followers gathered in the ancient temple of the Tiwanaku civilization which flourished around 5,000 B.C.

Amid cries of "Viva Evo" and "Viva Bolivia," the Aymara president-elect appeared dressed in a red tunic and four-cornered headdress, typical articles of Andean clothing and practically identical, thanks to digital technology, to those used in pre-Columbian times.

After the ritual purification by fire on the Akapana pyramid, Evo Morales received the indigenous scepter, the sign of his supreme authority over native Andean communities.

From the monumental pyramid, the Aymara leader walked to the Temple of Kalasasaya, also in the sacred enclosure, where he placed the scepter. "Today begins a new life of justice and equality for the Bolivian people," Morales said in a speech given at the pre-Columbian temple.

"I'm very moved," he said several time during his talk delivered to thousands including official guests, tourists, and reporters from all over the world.

The man who Sunday will become the first Indian president of Bolivia asked for support from all sectors of society: "If I can't go forward, push me, brothers and sisters."

The president-elect thanked the middle class, businessmen and intellectuals for their backing. "I'm proud of these people," he said, but he also asked them to feel the same for Bolivia's Indians.

He announced that on Aug. 6 he will install in the nation's constitutional capital, Sucre, a Constituent Assembly, in response to the people of Bolivia who demand a national renewal.

"We're not alone in the world," he said. "Governments and presidents support Bolivia - we should not feel alone. These are times of victory, of changes, and for that we need unity."