The Bolivian Workers Federation (COB), which played a key role in driving US-backed President Sanchez de Lozada from office in October, has threatened a general strike unless the new administration gives up the neoliberal policies of its predecessor. The declaration by the COB, issued on January 23 after a meeting of representatives from 60 trade unions, ends the "truce" intended to give the new President breathing room.

The leader of the tin miners and director of the COB, Jaime Solares, said that "the government of Carlos Mesa is just the continuation of the government of the President who left last October."

Mesa, who was Sanchez de Lozada's Vice President, is steeped in the same neoliberal reality as his predecessor. Responding to the universal outcry, he promised on taking office (he was selected by the Congress) to annul the gas contracts with US companies that provoked the massive strikes and demonstrations, and to reject US demands for absolute coca eradication. He has since backed away from both positions.

A key element in the COB's threatened strike is the government's offer of a three percent wage increase, which the unions reject as insufficient. Solares said that the minimum salary needs to be raised from 440 bolivianos (55 dollars) to 3,000 bolivianos (380 dollars) a month.

The Movement to Socialism (MAS) of Evo Morales, a congressman and leader of the coca farmers, has declined to participate in the strike. Morales, who endorsed Mesa, continues to support him despite stated differences in politics and outlook.

Morales was invited to attend the COB meeting, but declined. MAS Senator Filemon Escobar spoke to the assembly and said that it was necessary to continue to support the government and the electoral process to prevent a military coup that would only "Favor the White House and (the ousted) Sanchez de Lozada." Http://www.econoticiasbolivia.com reported that the conclusion of Escobar's presentation was greeted with "whistles and insults."

A military coup remains an ever-present possibility. The reason one hasn't happened already may be because the US has been so engrossed in Iraq. James Petras of the Canadian Dimension (http://www.canadiandimension.mb.ca) summarizes the long history of US interventions in Bolivia, from backing the bloody 1964 coup to targeted killings of dissidents as part of operation Condor. Petras reports that "five Pentagon experts arrived at the US embassy in La Paz shortly after the ousting of Sanchez de Lozada, with easily guessed-at intentions.

There is probably more than fear of a coup behind the split in direction between the COB and the MAS. Morales stands a good chance of winning the next Presidential elections. He came in second, with 21.9 percent to Sanchez de Lozada's 22.5 percent, in the last one. And despite the MAS's continuing acquiescence to Mesa's neoliberal direction, Morales has rejected joining his government, saying they "will not co-govern with Carlos Mesa or anybody else because we have great differences in culture and ideology."

The COB on the other hand, has declared war on neoliberalism and is not talking compromise. They promise demonstrations and direct actions during the strike--like blocking major roads with the support of campesinos like the Indian Movement Party (MIP), also a key element in the October uprising. Blocked roads and borders, essentially shutting the country down, were instrumental in the success of October's rebellion.

Solares says that "The people are tired of the intransigence of the congressmen and senators who don't want to do anything that will reduce their own diet." He said that the Congress has already voted itself a pay raise this year. "The Bolivian population has asked for the Congress to be closed and the COB doesn't have any other choice but to stick with this decision."