Clashes in Santa Cruz
Violent clashes have broken out in Bolivia during voting in a referendum on autonomy in the Santa Cruz region.
Officials said at least 18 people were hurt as supporters and opponents of President Evo Morales fought with sticks and stones in the region's main city, also called Santa Cruz.
Mr Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, says the referendum on autonomy from the central government is illegal.
His backers have vowed to boycott the ballot, meaning a "yes" vote is expected.
Bolivia's armed forces issued a rare statement on Saturday that backed the president and called the referendum a threat to national security.
The referendum would theoretically give Santa Cruz's conservative leaders more control over natural resources that include fertile farmland and about ten per cent of Bolivia's oil and natural gas reserves.
A "yes" vote could force Mr Morales to negotiate with his opponents in Santa Cruz and other pro-autonomy regions in Bolivia's eastern lowlands, or set the two sides on a collision course.
© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
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