ALVARO ZUAZO
Associated Press
LA PAZ, Bolivia - Bolivian political leaders are considering calling for early presidential and congressional elections in an effort to end almost three weeks of protests that have paralyzed the capital and blocked scores of roads across the nation.
An early election, probably in December, is a possibility "that is gaining force in the country," Senate President Hormando Vaca Diez said Saturday night after meeting with Bolivian Catholic Church leaders who are attempting to mediate. <snip>
President Carlos Mesa, whose term ends in August 2007, asked the Catholic Church to mediate in the crisis and on Sunday joined lengthy meetings with the prelates and political leaders.
At the end of the discussions, the Bolivian Bishops Conference said "there are reasons for hope, because all parties involved have expressed their firm decision to find concrete solutions to the problems faced by the country within the framework of the constitution." <snip>
http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/world/11823381.htm