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 LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) - Bolivia's embattled leader asked the country's legislature Tuesday to authorize an early presidential election this summer, saying he can no longer govern among growing protests and road blockades.
The nationally televised announcement from President Carlos Mesa came one week after the Bolivian congress rejected his resignation.
Mesa, whose term would not normally end until 2007, said he made the decision after failing to convince an opposition leader to end the blockades and after congress failed to approve oil and gas legislation he proposed. He asked for an Aug. 28 election so that he could step down the following month.
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