Socialist Claims Victory in Bolivia

[Clara T]

Socialist Claims Victory in Bolivia

Monday December 19, 2005 2:31 AM
By FIONA SMITH
Associated Press Writer

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia (AP) - Bolivia's Socialist presidential candidate Evo Morales, who has promised to become Washington's ``nightmare,'' said his victory was assured in Sunday's elections after two independent exit polls showed him with an unexpectedly strong lead.

The projected wide margin means Morales, a coca farmer who has said he will end a U.S.-backed anti-drug campaign aimed at eradicating the crop used to make cocaine, will likely be declared president in January over his conservative opponent.

``If (the U.S.) wants relations, welcome,'' Morales said after voting, holding a news conference where piles of coca leaves were spread atop a Bolivian flag. ``But no to a relationship of submission.''

Raucous celebrations erupted among Morales' supporters after the nationally televised exit polls showed him with a decisive lead over former President Jorge Quiroga, who was backed by Bolivia's business elite. He thanked supporters for what he called his ``great triumph,'' but tempered that by saying he would await official results confirming the outcome.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5489045,00.html