Peaceful Agreement For New Bolivian Constitution

Secretary-General Welcomes Peaceful Agreement On New Bolivian Constitution

New York, Oct 21 2008 7:10PM

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the agreement reached today by Bolivia’s National Congress on the text of a proposed new constitution and the process for its approval.

Mr. Ban “congratulates the Government of President Evo Morales and the leaders of the opposition forces for their commitment to a peaceful resolution of differences, which ultimately made this agreement possible,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

Today’s agreement is a “major breakthrough” and caps off many months of divisive tensions in the South American nation.

It serves as a foundation for cooperation to build an “inclusive, democratic and prosperous future for their country,” and is also a “demonstration that dialogue and negotiation are indeed the only viable paths to resolve even the most difficult conflicts,” the statement noted.

The Secretary-General said that the United Nations considers it a “privilege” to have served as an observer and facilitator – along with the Organization of American States (OAS), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the European Union (EU), and the Catholic and Evangelical Churches of Bolivia – leading up to the agreement.

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