| Bolivia's government says three Cabinet ministers | | | | violence has been reported. |
| have been kidnapped in a Bolivian town near the | | | | Local officials in Puerto Suarez support plans by a |
| Brazilian border, in a dispute over construction permits | | | | Brazilian company, E.B.X., to build a large steel foundry |
| for foreign investors. | | | | in the area, but Bolivia's national government says |
| In the capital La Paz, Bolivia's defense minister Walker | | | | foreign-owned projects are forbidden within 50 |
| San Miguel, says local residents seized the three | | | | kilometers of the border. |
| ministers Tuesday. They are being held hostage in the | | | | The proposed steel plant would lie near Bolivia's famed |
| southeastern town of Puerto Suarez in Santa Cruz | | | | El Mutun iron deposits - an orefield that may hold up to |
| province. | | | | 70 percent of the world's known reserves of iron and |
| The three abducted officials: Carlos Villegas, Celinda | | | | magnesium.Some information for this report was |
| Sosa and Walter Villarroel head Bolivia's planning, | | | | provided by AFP and Reuters. |
| economic development and mining ministries. No | | | | |