So the impact on the public opinion has been favorable because of what I already mentioned and second, because the serious economic crisis affecting the country and the recession that the Banzer administration failed to overcome were raising doubts over how to confront the year to go before the presidential election. So, in a sense, Jorge Quirga, who is a technocrat specialized in economy, stands as the choice to solve somehow the economic woes gripping the nation.

How have Bolivian political leaders reacted? It is important to point out that by late April former President Sánchez de Losada had requested President Hugo Banzer’s resignation. Now that the resignation is a fact, what will be his reaction now in this particular scenario?

Given the President’s resignation, which has an emotional connotation and of course arouses sympathy for him, the attitude of the National Revolutionary Movement (MNR in its Spanish acronym) has toned down. Former President Sánchez de Losada stated that despite he sympathizes with the personal problem of Hugo Banzer, he understands the change but the MNR claimed they would not press for the resignation under these circumstances. So I believe the opposition’s attitude is sensible.

‘Due to the President’s resignation, which has an emotional connotation,
the attitude of the National Revolutionary Movement has toned down.
The opposition’s attitude is sensible’.

The big question lies on the ruling coalition. The question is whether President Quirga will reshuffle the cabinet and even become detached from some of the coalition parties or from Hugo Banzer’s intimate circle that has greatly influenced the outbound administration.

Rumors had it that while Banzer was in hospital, as soon as his decision to resign was known, political negotiations were conducted to remove some leaders of the ruling Acción Democrática Nacionalista (ADN). Is it so?

This issue is being discussed in Bolivia. Future President Quiroga has been discreet and declined to make statements. He only conceded that on his August 6 inauguration his cabinet and political stance will be officially revealed. Something is clear, if Jorge Quiroga does not make changes to the relevant leadership of the AND, people will lose their faith in him. Great disappointment surrounds the outbound administration and Jorge Quiroga’s big challenge -who expects to have a good political career and intends to run for 2007- greatly depends on his ability to show that things will not stay the same.

What is the political support granted to Jorge Quiroga Ramírez to face the delicate social and economic situation hitting the country?

On the one hand, regarding the ADN, he must decide whether to keep it all or not. I don’t think he should. The Left Revolutionary Movement (MIR) -which includes Jaime Paz as presidential wannabe- will be an important pillar and the MNR though it may seem paradoxical. MIR and MNR have a common interest: compete in quite elections in 2002 though they’ll be strong rivals. This common interest could make part of Jorge Quirga’s support lie on a sector of the ruling coalition and in the major opposition party. But I’m only speculating, I wouldn’t ensure this will be so.

"'Technocrat specialized in economics, Jorge Quiroga stands as the
choice to solve somewhow the economic woes gripping the country"

What’s in store for the new President?

I think the agenda guidelines are crystal clear: 1) ensure a transparent democratic electoral process, which is being made by changing the Bolivian National Electoral Court, 2) reform the State’s political constitution -a commission is already working on the changes to make to the political, economic and social system; 3) curb the economic debacle that has immersed Bolivia into recession, almost negative growth and serious social problems.

Taking stock of Hugo Bánzer’s performance, what is your appraisal considering Bolivia’s current political scenario?

I think Banzer’s major achievement has been excess cocaine eradication. This enables Bolivia to get out of the drug-producing circuit and drug-trafficking. On the downside, I’d make reference to a total absence of authority -paradoxical in a former dictator- a total inability to solve the economic crisis that has placed the country on the brink of collapse due to flat growth and consequently a worrying social situation. Last year Bolivia experienced unprecedented social uprisings never seen in the last 30 or 40 years.

Anyway, at present clashes still exist with some workforce sectors and peasant movements...

With peasants mainly. This is the most crucial point today. Right now government is negotiating with the Confederación Campesina a stringent set of demands that have been endorsed by the blockage in a zone close to La Paz that has encountered confrontation in the route leaving a toll of some killed and injured people. This illustrates the idea that we are bearing strained social unrest.

Has the international community supported the country in the face of this situation?

Absolutely. Banzer’s measures seem to have had greater international than national impact. The effect of coca eradication has been greatly applauded by the United States and European Union determining a full-support stance to President Banzer and, of course, support to the democratic transition as well.