News In Brief

Bolivian union group orders end to strike

Boliva's Workers Confederation, a powerful Communist-led union group, summoned its members back to work Monday after a four-day general strike, saying Bolivia's left-wing government, burdened by debt, has promised to halt loan repayments to overseas commercial banks.

The group also said President Hernan Siles Zuazo had agreed to raise pay and freeze food prices.

Bolivia, regarded as South America's poorest country, has a total foreign debt estimated at $4.4 billion, at least a quarter of which is owed to commercial banks.

The government thwarted a coup attempt last week in which Mr. Siles Zuazo was kidnapped for 10 hours.