MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivia's four richest provinces confirm greater autonomy

Bolivia's strategic gas-rich Tarija province voted overwhelmingly on Sunday in favor of greater autonomy, approximately 80%, according to the first results which also confirms exit polls. However abstention in the fourth Bolivian province to vote for greater autonomy was above 35%.

Autonomy backers celebrated in Tarija's capital after the exit polls were released. "A new Bolivia must be built on a foundation of autonomy. Centralism has left a bad legacy" regional Governor Mario Cossio told a crowd of supporters late on Sunday. Earlier this year, the provinces of Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando also voted to distance themselves from the central government in La Paz. "Autonomy won't rest here: we're four now but soon will be nine" provinces that support less influence from La Paz, said Cossio. However Cossio also called for a great "national reconciliation" if "spirits disarm". The four richest provinces of Bolivia are protesting what they consider as further infringement of President Evo Morales administration, who is intent in a more government controlled economy, land distribution and wealth sharing with the poor and indigenous population which are a majority in the landlocked country. The La Paz government considers the provincial referendums illegal since they have not been approved by the country's Electoral board or Congress. Mr. Morales the first elected indigenous president of Bolivia has been in office for two years and has reacted by convening a recall referendum on his leadership next August. On the eve of the Tarija vote he officially launched the August campaign in the city of Cochabamba that is mostly loyal to him. "We're aware of our job and that is why we decided that the people should ratify their trust on us, if not the following day we will head back home", said Morales who was elected with 53.7% of the vote in December 2005. If successful in the ballot, Mr Morales says he wants to hold a public referendum on a draft constitution which has been awaiting approval since last year. The constitution aims to enshrine reforms such as land redistribution to Bolivia's indigenous majority and sharing of wealth with the poorer western regions. However, critics say it cedes too much control to the government in La Paz. Mr Morales's opponents in the eastern states argue that his plans would unfairly privilege indigenous groups and would mean greater central control. The proposals also include allowing the president to stand for re-election for another five-year term. On August 10 not only Mr. Morales job will be on the line: the vice president and the nine provincial governors, six of them hard line opponents that are working for the creation of an alliance to force Mr. Morales to admit the autonomy model they propose. With Sunday's results four of them have overwhelmingly voted for less influence from La Paz and the governors from La Paz and Cochabamba are considering the option. But either option is on a collision course, because the Morales constitution is clearly state oriented and based on centralism while the prosperous dissidents want greater autonomy and free market economics. Furthermore the rich provinces are dominated by descendents of the Spanish colonists and the poor regions inhabited by indigenous peoples from where Mr. Morales comes.