BOLIVIA: LA PAZ: RIOT POLICE CLASH WITH DEMONSTRATORS

Описание: (9 Apr 1998) Natural Sound

Violent clashes broke out between police and demonstrators in Bolivia's capital, La Paz, on Wednesday.

Shots were fired at angry public sector workers in the street while talks between union representatives and government officials broke down.

The demonstrations are part of the two week old general strike which has led the government to threaten a state of emergency.

Teachers were at the front line in the latest clashes between strikers and police in Bolivia on Wednesday.

Violence erupted in the capital La Paz as police attempted to clear roads blocked by demonstrators for over three hours.

Home-made dynamite bombs called "hondas" were catapulted at riot-police.

The demonstrations are part of the general strike which is now entering its second week.

The strike is led mainly by public sector employees who are demanding higher wages.

But support has spread to rural areas and farmers in the central region of Chapare also clashed with police on Wednesday.

The demonstrations have become increasingly violent as the strike continues, with over one hundred reported injuries.

The death toll so far stands at five.

Teachers were angered by comments from Education Minister Tito Hoz de Vila.

He suggested the teachers sign a pledge to return to the classrooms and end the strike.

In exchange they would be guaranteed their March pay cheques.

The government has refused union demands that it raise its offer of a 6-point-5 percent pay increase for teachers.

The stand off continues.

And the scale of civil unrest has led members of Bolivia's Congress to call for a state of emergency.

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