Brazil Won't Accept Separatism in Bolivia, Minister Warns

[Judi Lynn]

Brazil Won't Accept Separatism in Bolivia, Minister Warns
Saturday, 10 May 2008

Celso Amorim, the Brazilian Foreign minister said that South America would never accept "separatism in Bolivia" and underlined that any autonomy must be negotiated with La Paz, according to Rio's daily O Globo.

Last Sunday Bolivia's richest province, Santa Cruz, held a referendum where an overwhelming majority voted for autonomy. Several other Bolivian provinces are on a similar track.

"I don't think we'll see separatism. Even because South America would never accept it," said Celso Amorim.

"Brazil is not against autonomy wishes as long as constitutional principles are respected and that is the will of the Bolivian people," added Amorim who insisted that the voted Santa Cruz autonomy statute must be in the framework of the current Bolivian constitution.
(snip)

"What we must do is work together in a coordinated way, all of us in the same direction. We must find a way to reestablish dialogue and that is what we are determined to obtain. But with discretion, no impositions, we can't forget that the idea of the group of country friends was an initiative from the Bolivian government."

More:
http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9304/