Investigating violence in Bolivia.

• Author: Conaway, Janelle
• Position: OAS

SECRETARY General Cesar Gaviria visited Bolivia in early March and said an OAS-appointed commission would help investigate the events that left more than thirty people dead during two days of disturbances in February.

The Bolivian government had asked for OAS support in examining the incidents, which began on February 12 when police protesting economic measures clashed with military troops in downtown La Paz. Two days later, the OAS Permanent Council met in special session to condemn the violence and to express its "full and decisive support" for the government of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada.

During his two-day visit to La Paz, Gaviria met with the Bolivian leader and other government officials, as well as with church and human rights representatives.

At a news conference, the Secretary General said several OAS member countries had offered the services of technical experts for an investigation into the February events. He stressed that the OAS commission would respect the autonomy of the Bolivian justice system.

Gaviria said the OAS would prepare a preliminary report on the findings, with the goal of identifying factors that contributed to the outbreak of violence and steps that could be taken to ensure that "what happened in the country doesn't happen again."

Bolivian foreign...