Bolvian troops break up gas pipeline protest

[struggle4progress]

President orders military to intervene; tensions with Brazil grow

Updated: 4:56 p.m. ET Sept 2, 2006
LA PAZ, Bolivia - .. It was the second time in less than a week the Bolivian leader dispatched soldiers to break up demonstrations at pipelines in the country.

Early Saturday, about 50 soldiers dispersed dozens of demonstrators occupying the Parapeti natural gas pipeline control station, according to protest leader Demecio Canduari ..

The occupation has proved a politically sensitive issue for Morales, pitting demands from his poor Indian base against businesses worried about his decision to nationalize the country’s energy sector May 1 ..

The Indians say Transierra has failed to fulfill a promise to invest about $9 million in development projects in the gas- and oil-rich territory. Company officials say it regularly contributes to community initiatives as laid out in a 20-year plan ..

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