Bolivia slams alledged U.S. meddling

LA PAZ, Sept. 23 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales on Monday accused the United States of continued meddling in Bolivia's national affairs through its aid agency.

Despite its expulsion from Bolivia in May, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) "continues conspiring" to dominate and divide Bolivia, Morales told an official event in Robore, Santa Cruz.

"USAID, through several small programs, continues to conspire against us politically," Morales said, obviously in response to criticisms of his decision to expel the agency.

Morales called the agency a "tool of the empire that wants to dominate us, subdue us, divide us." "We will not accept that," he noted.

He did not give details of the agency's activities in his country.

Bolivia no longer depends on international aid agencies since it has the capacity to apply for loans and pay them back, Morales said. "We request credits and get them easily, because Bolivia is credible and solvent."

Morales said he hoped USAID's expulsion from Bolivia will help put an end to U.S. conspiracy in the country.

"Unconditional cooperation is welcome, but some hinges on giving away natural resources, privatizing, turning water and electricity into private business. That is finished," Morales said.

He will fly to New York later Monday to attend this year's UN General Assembly session.