Bolivia: two years

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Jan. Hunger strikes for political amnesty and legalisation of trade unions; general strikes in departments of Potosi and Chuquisaca; President, General Banzer forced to announce elections for July. July. Elections; principal candidates Hernan Siles IUDP-bourgeois centrists in alliance with CP), Victor Paz (MNRA - legitimate' right), Gen. Juan Pereda (Air Force-Banzer's candidate): After widespread fraud Pereda pre-empts a marginal victory by Siles with a coup to Nov. ProPaz sector of the army, 'institucionalistas' led by Gen. David Padilla, accept end of dictatorship and overthrow Pereda; elections announced for July 1979 but no major economic policy decisions taken. Beset by right and left, Padilla simply 'holds the July. Elections: principal candidates, UDP, MNRA and Banzer. After a relatively clean polt Siles narrowly wins presidency but raz obtains congressional majority-stalemate results in further interim president-rightist Walter Guevara Arze, to hold new elections in June 1980. Congress initiates impeachment of Banzer for 'treason' Oct. With constant bickering in Congress Guevara threatening to prolong his 'mandat' ', COB announcement of general strike against economic measures and impeachment of Banzer progressing, Nov. Guevara overthrown by Col. Alberto Natusch; general strike; 300 killed in street fighting; US cuts $60 million aid; feverish negotiations between army, politicians and COB leadership Lechin calls off strike; miners continue. Natusch removed for interim president Lydia Gueiler (proPaz). Army stages further "passive coup"' to Jan. Military appointments controlled by ultra-right, constitutional April. Military right fully in control of army under Gen. Luis Garcia —openly attacks civilian rule. Assassination of Luis Espinal, leftist editor, draws biggest demo since 1952 revolution. Inflation for first quarter at 30%, Gueiler seeks to impose IMF plans. May: Cross party/trade union alliance to form CONADE-civil front in defence of 'democracy'; to use road blockades and general strike in event of coup. Lechin (COB) and Garcia (army) sign 'pact' to June: Coup led by Garcia forestalled by opposition in lower ranks. US open warning to military. Assassination attempt made on Gueiler by chief of her bodyguard. Jaime Paz Zamora, leader of MIR and vice presidential candidate for UDP survives sabotage of his aircraft. Terror squads attack UDP meetings but high command 1978 prolong Banzer style rule.

fort' 1979 Trinidad garrison attempts coup and fails.

ensure Natusch appointees retain posts. 1980 elements sent to distant garrisons. respect each other.

reluctantly accepts elections (13 June).

strike The Polish working class continues to mount a growing wave of what the Stalinist bureaucracy refers to as "temporary weakening of dynamics" otherwise known as strikes.

The strikes have now taken place in virtually every major industry and city in Poland.

The demands made in these strikes have rapidly extended beyond the wage increases needed to compensate for the bureaucracy's recent meat price Demands have been made for the right for workers to organise their own unions.

Assurances

In the tractor plant at Ursus, whose workers played such an important part in the uprising of 1976, shop stewards forced the management to give written assurances that there would be no victimisations.

Also wage demands are rapidly escalating with each strike. In the first week of July 5% was the common level of settlements. In the second week it had risen to 10%.