Bolivia seeks to restore diplomatic relations with U.S.

Bolivia's President Evo Morales said Monday his country wants to restore diplomatic relations with the United States under certain conditions after ties were suspended in 2008.

"An agreement of diplomatic and trade relations with the U.S. must be done on equal conditions and without impositions ... We want to recover the diplomatic relations and the exchange of ambassadors," Morales said.

Bolivia-U.S. relations were strained in September 2008 when Morales expelled U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, accusing him of conspiracy to destabilize his government. The United States expelled Bolivian Ambassador Gustavo Guzman as a countermeasure.

In November 2008, Bolivia expelled the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents on grounds of a failed civil coup against Morales and ordered a suspension of their activities in the country. The move further strained ties.

The Bolivian president said his government is open to restore diplomatic relations with all countries, but demands respect of the country's sovereignty and dignity.

Morales said the Foreign Ministry has improved the text of the agreement to restore diplomatic ties with the United States, but he didn't elaborate.

Source: Xinhua

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