By GRAHAM GORI, Associated Press Writer

MONTERO, Bolivia - Police and soldiers clashed with villagers during a protest Tuesday to force the government to pave a road in western Bolivia, killing one person and injuring 15 others, authorities said.

About 4,000 villagers forced an oil pipeline to shut down and blocked access to oil wells. The villagers want the government to pave a road through Santa Rosa, a poor town where international oil companies have drilled for years.

Gunfire erupted during the clashes, leaving one villager dead. In addition, eight villagers, five police officers and two soldiers were injured, said presidential spokesman Mauricio Antesana.

Some villagers were armed with machetes, rocks, sticks and shotguns. Officials were investigating who fired first.

Local residents claim politicians have long promised to pave the road connecting their village to the nearest city, Santa Cruz, about 65 miles away.

"We are so small, and these companies are so big, and all we want is our dirt road paved in return," said a tear-filled Isidro Celaya, 68, who stood outside the morgue waiting to claim the body of his 32-year-old son Luis, who was killed in the confrontation.

Police said their actions were justified in keeping Bolivian roadways clear.

"They were blocking the highway and they ought to know they cannot impede traffic on highways," said Col. German Flores who comforted an injured officer at the hospital.

"The government should try dialogue before using such force," said Gregorio Fernandez, the director of the local hospital that received the wounded.