1.
GV: Presidential Palace in La Paz
0.03

2.
TOP VIEW: soldiers in front of palace.
0.06

3.
GV PAN: armoured vehicle in front of palace.
0.11

4.
SV PAN: troops in truck in front of Palace.
0.18

5.
SV: armoured vehicle with gun in front of Palace.
0.22

6.
SV: President Juan Pereda Asbun arrives by car, salutes sentries and enters palace.
0.40

7.
SV AND CU: People reading newspapers (3 shots)
0.56

8.
GV: Pro-President Pereda demonstration in progress. (2 shots)
1.18

9.
SV INTERIOR PAN: soldiers on Palace balcony.
1.22

10.
TOP VIEW AND PAN: demonstrators inside Palace.
1.26

11.
CU: President pereda walks down stairs to greet demonstrators.
1.34

12.
GV: President Pereda watches demonstrators cheering him.
1.39


The leader of Bolivia's left-wing opposition, Dr. Hernan Siles Zuazo, has announced that his party will spearhead a campaign of non-violent resistance if General Pereda refuses to call immediate elections. General Pereda himself requested that the result of the 9 June elections be annulled, because of allegation that found fraud and intimidation had been used on his behalf. Dr. Siles, who heads the Popular Democratic Union, says his first task will be to mobilise opposition parties, unions, and student organisations in a united appeal for further elections.




Initials RH/1920



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Bolivia's new President, General Juan Pereda Asbun, is appointing what he says will be a national revolutionary cabinet. General Pereda took office late on Friday (21 July) after leading a bloodless coup which deposed former president Hugo Banzer, military ruler of the country since 1971.

SYNOPSIS: The presidential Palace in La Paz was surrounded by heavily armed troops on Saturday (22 July) before General Pereda began his first day as President of Bolivia. The general, who was the right-wing candidate in the country's recent abortive general elections, had led a successful military rebellion less than 24 hours earlier.

During his first day at the Palace, General Pereda's main task was the formation of a new Cabinet. And the first post, that of Army Commander, went to General David Padilla -- who had strongly backed General Pereda's election campaign. In La Paz, all was calm the day after the coup, and a 10 pm. to six am. curfew continued under the emergency regulations.

Demonstration voicing their support for General Pereda were allowed into the grounds of the Presidential Palace, in spite of the strict security.

Soldiers even allowed them into the Palace itself and General Pereda took time off from his first day's duties to greet his supporters.