Bolivia's Morales is inaugurated

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Evo Morales Aima — a peasant leader born into grueling poverty — assumed Bolivia's presidency Sunday with an emotional speech that laid out the most complete picture yet of his leftist agenda.

The 46-year-old Aymara Indian, his troubled country's first indigenous president, fleshed out controversial proposals he made throughout his historic campaign, including plans to nationalize Bolivia's vast natural gas resources and block U.S.-backed anti-drug efforts.

After tearfully accepting the country's red, green and gold presidential banner, Morales began his wide-ranging, 90-minute address with a minute of silence dedicated to leftist heroes such as revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara, fellow activists and Bolivia's indigenous people, who make up more than 70 percent of the country.

"We are here to change our history," he said standing at the front of the Congressional chamber filled with newly elected representatives, loved ones and world leaders, including 11 heads of state. "This is the conscience of the people, our people, the fight of our people."

With regular promises to be a "nightmare" for the United States, Morales has been a rising star of Latin America's populist left and is closely allied to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, both ideological foes of the Bush administration. His election marked another significant challenge to U.S. policy in the region.

Morales went on to detail plans to "industrialize" Bolivia's natural gas, hinting the country could take over resource extraction now performed by foreign companies. Bolivia claims Latin America's second largest natural gas reserves.

He also demanded the world community cancel the impoverished Andean country's $6.43 billion in foreign debt, saying, "This money definitely never helped our indigenous people."

Acknowledging those roots, Morales spoke for about three minutes in Aymara and used the Inca language of Quechua to thank Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other presidents for coming. The day before, Morales took part in an indigenous purifying ceremony on the site of an ancient temple outside the capital.

After the inauguration ceremony, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez appeared beside Morales on the balcony of the presidential palace to view Bolivian troops. They were joined by Prince Felipe of Spain, Slovenia President Janez Dronvsek and other international figures.