DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE ??? BUILDING IN BOGOTA.




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Background: HUGE DEMONSTRATIONS RESULTED FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK BY PRESIDENT CARLOS LLERAS RESTREPO OF COLOMBIA THAT HE WOULD RESIGN.

THE PRESIDENT SAID THE REFUSAL OF THE COLOMBIAN SENATE TO APPROVE HIS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS WAS A SERIOUS REVERSAL TO HIS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS.

THOUSANDS OF DEMONSTRATORS MARCHED THROUGH BOGOTA DEMANDING THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD REMAIN IN OFFICE.

THE PRESIDENT WAS INSTALLED IN 1966 FOR A FOUR TERM AND HIS PARTY, THE LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE PARTY CAME TO POWER IN 1958 FOR A 16-YEAR TERM
REUTER SAYS THAT PRESIDENT RESTREPO HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN 12-THOUSAND MESSAGES FROM THROUGHOUT BOGOTA URGING HIM TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION TO RESIGN.

(ON WEDNESDAY THE SENATE REJECTED PRESIDENT RESTREPO'S RESIGNATION BY 74 VOTES TO 31 AFTER A DEBATE LASTING FIVE HOURS. HOWEVER, THE PRESIDENT HAS SAID IF HE IS TO REMAIN AS LEADER HIS REFORMS MUST BE APPROVED.)