LA PAZ, May 28 (ALC). Categorical statements on the part of the Catholic Church and several Protestant organizations obligated the Bolivian government to reject a discussion on legalizing abortions, a theme introduced to the legislative chamber by the National Health Secretariat.

"This is not a government proposal. Abortion continues to be a crime, it is illegal, there is no plan for its legalization," declared President Gonzalo Sanchez de Losada.

"The government has never proposed legalizing abortion in order that it become a free practice, it is a reality that we must carefully analyze with all involved sectors," said Human Development Minister Freddy Teodovich, quoted by the Bolivian Information Agency (ABI).

The legalization of abortion was first mentioned by the national health secretary, Oscar Sandoval, who received a deluge of criticism from the Church.

"One cannot try to take life away from some to save others," said Mons. Edmundo Abastoflor, president of the Bolivian Bishops' Conference, who rejected the proposal and agreed to participate in a government debate on the issue.

Protestants expressed their "vehement rejection" of the legalization of abortion through the National Association of Protestants of Bolivia (ANDEB) and the United Protestant Churches for Peace. Both institutions convoked a "March for Jesus" May 25, in which the "defense of life" was the dominant message.

According to official statistics, some 50,000 clandestine abortions are carried out in Bolivia on an annual basis.

"As health workers and people who love life we cannot continue closing our eyes before such a painful reality," said the Under Secretary on Health, Javier Torres Goitia, who clarified that the government does not agree with abortion as a form of family planning.

Catholic radio stations in La Paz broadcast messages repudiating abortion and family planning methods while a publicity campaign is being developed to encourage young people to use birth control pills and condoms.

"There is a need for education so that women, in particular those of limited resources, do not need to turn to abortion. I believe that this education process is necessary," said the head of the Bolivian state.

The undersecretary on health lamented the fact that in Bolivia abortion has become a family planning method, a practice generally related to economic factors and social and ethical pressures. Protestant journalist Jose Yelincic, of the Rutherford Institution of Bolivia believes that birth control and abortion do not represent a solution to the problem of poverty. "Abortion is aimed at eliminating the poor as opposed to eliminating poverty," he said.

The pro-life position expressed by the government, eased the initial tension sparked in the Church environment.