Reply #3: Official: Bolivia gas won't be blocked

[Judi Lynn]

Official: Bolivia gas won't be blocked

The Associated Press
Friday, September 5, 2008
BRASILIA, Brazil: Brazil's foreign minister says he doubts that Bolivia's opposition will block natural gas exports, on which Brazil heavily relies.

The opposition in Bolivia's energy-rich provinces is demanding that President Evo Morales return state shares of oil and natural gas income he diverted to fund a pension for the elderly. The opposition has held strikes that have shut down banks, offices and public transportation.

Brazil's Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said Friday he doesn't think Bolivia's opposition provinces will block gas exports to Brazil as part of the protest because it would be "shooting themselves in the foot."

Brazil is the biggest market for Bolivian natural gas, buying an average 30 million cubic meters a day.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/05/business/LA-Brazil-Bolivia-Gas.php