Torrez Cabinet surprise

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 13

Torrez Cabinet surprise

(N.Z.PA.-Reuter —Copyright) LA PAZ (Bolivia), October 11. Bolivia’s new President, General Torrez, has spelt out a four-point programme for his Leftwing nationalist Government which includes the progressive nationalisation of foreign-owned companies.

However, political observers were today speculating just how Left-wing the new Government is in view of the inclusion of ultra-Right members in the Cabinet

General Torrez, aged 47, put forward his programme last night at his first press conference since seizing power last Wednesday when he put down a military revolt which ousted the former military President, General Ovando. The President said he was in complete control of Bo-

livia, and that his four-point programme was aimed at:— Monetary stability. Nationalisation of foreignowned companies. Promotion of investment in

the country. Negotiations winthin the Andean common market, of which Bolivia is a member, to seek advantage for the Bolivian petrochemical industry.

The main foreign investment in Bolivia is in the United States-owned Matiled tin mine—the only big for-eign-owned tin mine in this major tin-producing country —a few gold mines and small businesses.

It was expected that the new Government would be strongly nationalist and Leftwing in view of the strong support given to General Torrez by the Bolivian workers’ Confederation and Leftwing university students.

But the President’s Cabinet, named on Friday, appeared very Centrist. And the new Foreign Minister (General Molina), the Finance Minister (Mr de Solada), and the Minister of Industry and Commerce (General Solis), all considered ultra-Right members who backed the fall of President Ovando.

Time urged General Torrez, referring to demands by. the miners’ organisation for higher salaries, , said the Government could not grant these immediately, but would work towards better housing, health and education conditions.

President Torrez said that his Government would examine, at an opportune time, an amnesty for the French author, Regis Debray, captured in April, 1967, and gaoled for 30 years for participating in a rebel group led by the Cuban revolution-

ary, "Che” Guevara, who was killed later that year.

The President would not say definitely whether he would renew relations with Cuba. On the question of possible elections in Bolivia, he said that his Government would propose a new type of democracy, and ultimately would call elections. Files burnt The only miners’ demand yesterday came from its farLeftist secretary-general, Mr J. Lechin, who called for the more than 600 American Embassy and aid staff and dependants to leave the country immediately because they were Central Intelligence Agency members. Yesterday the Government allowed students from San Andres university to move into the National Criminal Investigations Centre and burn hundreds of documents, files and photographs relating to politicians, teachers and students. The files mainly concerned Left-wing activities.