Bolivian Preside

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Any hopes on the part of imperialism and the Bolivian ruling class that the new government of nationalist President Lydia: Gueiler would be able to demobilise the working class. were totally shattered last week.

The Gueiler regime has lost no time in showing its willingness to act as the agent of imperialism.

Ten days ago it introduced a series of austerity measures for which the International Monetary Fund has been pressing for some months.

The price of petrol was raised by 130% at a stroke (and public transport prices went up equivalently), the peso was devalued by 18% (putting up the prices of all imported goods) and, as a concession, a few prices of basic necessities were frozen.

The measures provoked an immediate wave of demonstrations and strikes.

Barricades were erected in workers' districts of the capital La Paz, as demonstrations were violentiy attacked by the police.

In protest against the doubling of bus-fares, buses were set on fire by workers.

- It is reported that the COB (the central trade union feder-. ation) expelled the bus workers' union when it called a strike against the bus burnings.

Latest reports suggest that Gueiler has been forced by the pressure to withdraw some of 1314. it the price increases.

But this must be a move of. desperation and already gives a sign that the life of the Gueiler regime is unlikely to be longer than the very short average life of her predecessors.

The COB. leaders, however, show themselves as always com-. pletely hostile to leading the mobilisations of workers towards the establishment of a workers and peasants government.

Instead, they are only too ready to negotiate a sell-out with the agents of the bosses.