Opponents agree on Bolivia peace road map

LA PAZ, Bolivia, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Bolivian President Evo Morales and rebellious provincial governors say they have agreed on a road map to end violent confrontations over national policies.

Officials said once the five governors from Bolivia's wealthy eastern provinces sign on to the deal, the first round of negotiations with Morales can begin, Mercopress reported Wednesday.

Violent protests centered in Santa Cruz province claimed 30 lives last week. The governors and their backers have occupied government buildings, objecting to Morales' efforts to redistribute some of the country's natural gas revenues to the country's poorer provinces, which are mainly inhabited by Indian peasants.

"If we want to return calm to the regions, let's sign this document," Vice President Alvaro Garcia, the main negotiator in the crisis, told Mercopress. "The government did it, the governors must, too. Not signing means violence, confrontation, aggression and a greater divide between Bolivians."

"We have decided to sign this accord for peace to return," said Gov. Ruben Costas of Santa Cruz.