Bolivia's Morales says his supporters call him seeking arms to defend his reforms

[Judi Lynn]

Bolivia's Morales says his supporters call him seeking arms to defend his reforms
The Associated Press
Published: February 16, 2008


LA PAZ, Bolivia: President Evo Morales on Friday said supporters across Bolivia want weapons to defend his government's populist reforms.

"The phone calls come at night, in the wee hours," Morales said at a coca farmers' union meeting in the central city of Cochabamba.

"'You're president, you must make them respect you,'" he said his supporters tell him. "'If you can't, give us arms to make them respect you.'"

Morales said he was encouraged by their devotion, without saying whether he obliged the requests.

"I feel like the people are strong in their defense of this process of change," he said.

More:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/16/america/LA-GEN-Bolivia-Morales-Supporters.php