Secretary-General to send personal envoy to Bolivia

Concerned about the "critical juncture" Bolivia finds itself in, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today announced that he will send a personal envoy to the country to observe the situation, in response to an invitation from its Government.

José Antonio Ocampo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, will meet with all parties concerned and report back to Mr. Annan, according to a statement issued by a UN spokesman.

"The Secretary-General strongly believes that Bolivians should resolve their differences peacefully and democratically, and that the rule of law should be respected in resolving the current political crisis in their country," the statement added.