1.
SV From "Halt sign" in Spanish PULL OUT TO GV: Hills surrounding town.
0.06

2.
SV Then ZOOM OUT TO MV From military zone sign (in Spanish) to armed soldiers.
0.13

3.
SV People waiting food PAN TO armed troops looking on, as people collect water. (2 shots)
0.22

4.
SV Miners in crowd, waiting for food. (2 shots)
0.34

5.
SV Soldiers with rifles
0.35

6.
SV People waiting for food.
0.38

7.
SV Soldier with fixed bayonet on rifle.
0.40

8.
SV PULL BACK TO GV: People waiting for food.
0.46

9.
SV Military poster on wall.
0.50

10.
SV INT. Army officers and government officials seated around table with miners leaders.
0.54

11.
SCU INT. Mining Department sign board. (in Spanish)
0.56

12.
SCU PULL OUT TO MV: Army officers, government officials and miners leaders seated around table.
1.04


Labour Minister, Colonel Mario Bargas Salinas is leading the Government in negotiations with the miners. He has already visited Oruro and has played a leading role in the talks. He estimates that well over half the national mining work-force has now returned to work. However, strict security continues around many mines where explosions have been reported. Reuters, quotes Government spokesmen, as blaming the bomb attacks on left-wing extremists, supporting striking miners. Troops and police have been given orders to shoot to kill against potential saboteurs.




Initials VS 19.40



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Bolivian Government claims that more than half of the country's 25,000 tin miners, who went on strike three weeks ago over a pay dispute, have returned to work. But Reuters News Agency quoted strike leaders as saying that the strike continues in a majority of the country's 15 major mines.

SYNOPSIS: However, at the Oruro mine complex near the capital, La Paz, where troops were sent two weeks ago to keep order, the Government persuaded local miners to return to work. Meanwhile, with most local shops shut because of earlier disturbances the people, fearing shortages, queued to buy food.

The disturbances were wide-spread throughout the mining industry, and the military Government acted firmly to control the labour unrest. However, as groups of miners reached agreement with mine managements, the Government promised troops would eventually be withdrawn from the mines. The Government has also pledged to release several miners' leaders from prison and given a promise of no reprisals.

The negotiations between the Government and miners at Oruro lasted several hours. Government spokesmen later said the miners had been told pay negotiations would resume shortly. The Government wants an urgent settlement - the national dispute is creating huge losses for the mining industry.