Squatters invade farm tied to ousted Bolivia leader

[Say_What]

According to Bolivian law, unproductive land must be turned over to those who have none.

<clips>

LA PAZ, Bolivia, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Dozens of landless Bolivian peasants have invaded a farm belonging to the family of toppled ex-President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, occupying the farmhouse and seizing around 250 milking cows, a family friend said on Tuesday.

Bolivia's new government, which took over after a deadly revolt forced Sanchez de Lozada to resign on Friday and flee to the United States, said it was trying to find a peaceful way to defuse the situation.

"(They took over) the whole property, the house, the farm, animal pens ... and 250 milking cows," a family friend said on condition of anonymity.

The landless peasants invaded the farm 43 miles (70 km) outside La Paz at dawn on Monday, and vowed to stay put.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21242124.htm

[Say_What]

1. Chile will not cede “sovereignty” to Bolivia

<clips>

The Chilean government discarded any possibility of ceding territorial sovereignty in exchange for Bolivia exporting natural gas through Chile.

Trade policies “do not involve ceding part of the country’s sovereignty” said Francisco Vidal, Chilean government Secretary in response to a statement by the new Bolivian Foreign Affairs Minister Luis Ignacio Siles del Valle.

“Any future natural gas negotiation should not be contrary to our fair re-vindication of a free and sovereign port in the Pacific”, said Mr. Siles del Valle last Sunday talking in the name of incoming president Carlos Mesa.

In his first speech last Sunday Mr. Siles del Valle indicated that the export of Bolivian gas either through Chile or Peru will be decided in a referendum that will also have to determine a “permanent State policy on the issue”, and concentrate on “deciding whether the Bolivia government will have ownership over those resources”.


http://www.falkland-malvinas.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=2757