Indigenous groups at the TIPNIS protest walk, resumed the walk at 5am today. They want ten ministers to be present to start the dialogue. Minister Delgadillo said they could start meetings with the three ministers already in the area. It is expected that some ministers will arrive today, uncertain that ten ministers, as requested, will be there. So, there is no certainty as to the dialogue will resume or not.
Indigenous groups criticized that current president is in other parts of Bolivia, playing soccer or delivering speeches or some projects, but neglects to meet them. They are accusing this government as being the most intolerant, arrogant and disrespectful of the indigenous people. The leaders of TIPNIA< CONAMAQ, CIDOB and others have requested the government ceases to bad-mouth them.
http://www.eldeber.com.bo/2011/2011-08-26/vernotanacional.php?id=110826003400
Los Tiempos in its editorial today, questions the government for not having a clear strategy to reach dialogue with the TIPNIS protest walk. Government tried to undermine the credibility of those indigenous leaders in many ways (phone tampering, illegal logging, settlements) and links with the US Embassy and USAID in a negative way). On top of those, the threat by coca growers groups to go in violent form to break up the walk, also serve to create more conflict. While there are also other government officials that are trying to reach dialogue. The editorial concludes by questioning those counterproductive messages and that the government should administer in a better way the State, should reach for alternatives, listen to those communities and also pay attention to the stakeholders’ opinion here and abroad.
The estimated cost per kilometer of the road Villa Tunari – San Ignacio de Moxos is regarded as the third most expensive in Bolivian history, $1.3 miiliion dollars per kilometer. It is over 81% more expensive than the road Potosi – Tarija. As reported by the Vice-ministry of Public Investment.
http://www.paginasiete.bo/2011-08-26/Nacional/NoticiaPrincipal/4Esp00126.aspx
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