CRI听力：Bolivian President: Autonomy Referendum 'Illegal'

To Bolivia, where the state of Santa Cruz has voted for greater autonomy from the government.

But the referendum has been declared illegal and unconstitutional by the country's President Evo Morales.

"This vote on the autonomy statute has been a fiasco, it's illegal and the referendum didn't have the success that they were expecting."(www.hXen.com)

The president also called for communication with opposition governors who are seeking greater political and economic autonomy.

Satan Cruz is the richest province in Bolivia.

Local surveys showed the autonomy referendum drawing as much as 85 percent of support.

But President Morales argues that he needs a strong central government to spread Santa Cruz's wealth to the rest of the country.

International organizations such as the United Nations and many Latin American governments are opposed to the autonomy referendum.