U.S. denies sending troops to Bolivia
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Staff and agencies
21 June, 2006
By FIONA SMITH, Associated Press Writer 1 minute ago
LA PAZ, Bolivia - President Evo Morales drew a sharp denial from the U.S. Embassy when he claimed in a speech that the United States is sending soldiers disguised as students and tourists to Bolivia.
Morales said in a speech Tuesday that U.S. Ambassador David Greenlee had sought a meeting with him.
"But I also have the right to complain because U.S. soldiers disguised as students and tourists are entering the country," said Morales, a leftist who has pledged revolutionary changes for the poor, including his recent move to nationalize Bolivia‘s natural gas industry.
The U.S. Embassy called Morales‘ charge "unfounded," saying in a statement: "We reiterate once more that we are supporting Bolivian democracy in a consistent way."
Relations between Bolivia and the U.S. have been frosty since Morales took office in January. While he has built close ties with Venezuela and Cuba, his remarks toward the U.S. have grown increasingly strident.
Speaking to coca growers Sunday, Morales used a phrase in the native Quechua language that he said may have irritated the U.S. ambassador.
Meanwhile, a former president Jorge Quiroga, a key opponent, accused Morales this week of compromising Bolivia‘s sovereignty by inviting Venezuelan soldiers.
Military cooperation with the United States, meanwhile, has ebbed. The U.S. Embassy would not specify how many Defense Department employees it has in Bolivia, saying only that they number about a few dozen.
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Associated Press writers Carlos Valdez and Frank Bajak contributed to this report.
