OREANDA-NEWS. September 18, 2008. Russia has been keeping a close watch on the developments in the situation in Bolivia. Its sharp exacerbation in the last few days, entailing human casualties and considerable material damage, evokes concern.

We condemn the actions that lead to a destabilization of constitutional order, to a division of Bolivian society and call into question the unity and integrity of the country. We urge all Bolivians to search for compromise solutions, to continue dialogue and to impart to a peaceful, nonviolent character to the domestic political process.

We welcome the steps undertaken by the Union of South American Nations, by MERCOSUR and by a number of Latin American countries who form the Group of Friends of Bolivia that have declared support to democracy and to the lawfully elected government of the country. We consider attempts to put its territorial integrity in jeopardy, as well as all forms of external interference in the affairs of this sovereign Latin American state unacceptable.