Report on events in Bolivia.

• Author: Conaway, Janelle
• Position: OAS

SECRETARY General Cesar Gaviria in early May presented the conclusions of an OAS-led investigation into the events of February 12-13 in Bolivia. Gaviria turned over the report to President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada during a brief ceremony held at the Murillo Palace in La Paz.

Afterwards, Gaviria told a press conference that he hoped the report would "open an extensive debate" regarding the responsibility of the parties involved in the violence, which left more than thirty people dead and many more injured. Such a debate, he added, "without a doubt will benefit the democratic system."

The OAS report was prepared at the request of the Bolivian government, with the assistance of experts from Brazil, Colombia, and the United States. It describes in depth the events in February, examines the issue of political responsibility, and provides recommendations to avoid a recurrence.

The report concludes that members of the National Police acted insubordinately with regard to the country's laws and Constitution. This...