US committed to Bolivia's territorial integrity

May 5, 2008, 18:34 GMT

Washington - The United States said Monday that it backs Bolivian unity while calling on the nation's leadership to hold dialogue aimed at resolving the dispute over provincial aspirations for autonomy.

'We continue to support Bolivia's unity and territorial integrity and are committed to strengthening democracy and promoting prosperity for all its people,' US State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.

The State Department commented after voters in Bolivia's eastern Santa Cruz province voted overwhelmingly for autonomy from the central government in La Paz led by President Evo Morales in a non- binding referendum.

The relatively affluent Santa Cruz region and its prevalence of people of European origins has sought greater independence from Morales, who was elected the country's first indigenous leader in 2005 pledging to nationalize the country's wealth for redistribution to the local Indio population.

More than 84 per cent of voters approved Sunday's referendum, although it was largely boycotted by Morales' backers, allowing the leader to argue that those who refused to cast ballots or voted no constituted the real majority.

The referendum provoked large protests that so far has left one person dead and more than two dozen injured.

'We urge Bolivia's leaders to use this opportunity to consolidate democracy and promote reconciliation, and build a consensus on Bolivia's future,' Casey said. 'We call on all sides to reject violence and exercise restraint during this period.'

Three other provinces in the coming months are also expected to hold autonomy referendums.

Morales started nationalizing the country's energy industry soon after he was elected, and more recently moved to nationalize the phone system.