(PL).- Grupos civiles ecuatorianos amenazaron hoy con llamar a la insubordinación si el Gobierno rechaza incluir en la consulta popular la firma del Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) con Estados Unidos y la convocatoria a una Asamblea Constituyente.   more »

(Opinion) Los regantes de Cochabamba preparan una propuesta para que desaparezca la Superintendencia de Saneamiento Básico y en su lugar funcione el Consejo Nacional de Agua Potable.   more »

(Bolpress) La comisión encargada discute el mecanismo que se seguirá para romper el acuerdo con Aguas del Illimani SA (AISA). Se han planteado tres caminos: comprar las acciones de la empresa, proceder a la rescisión del contrato de mutuo acuerdo o romper el contrato unilateralmente e intervenir la empresa.   more »

In late June, Suez initiated legal action against the Bolivian Government saying it had unilaterally ended its contract to supply water to the cities of La Paz and El Alto.

Negotiations are still underway involving the Bolivian Government, the privatised water utility (Aguas del Illimani) and leaders of social movements who are calling for a new socially-accountable public water utility.

Susan Spronk on Znet analyses the chance of success for the Bolivian Government in international arbitration if negotiations fail to bring about a mutual agreement. She also highlights the role of Bilateral Investment Agreements which increasingly tie the hands of developing country governments in their attempts to regulate and manage multinational companies.

See article>>

Christian Aid have put together a 4 minute video clip that looks at the reasons for the protests for nationalisation of gas during May and June 2005.

View clip>>
Background on protests (Open Democracy)>>