The Bolivian government said Thursday it would like to normalize ties with the United States while rejecting Washington's intervention in its sovereignty. Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia made the comments at a press conference, adding that his country "defends equality and mutual respect." Garcia said resuming ties with the United States must be based on cooperation and respect of each other's sovereignty and dignity. On Monday, Bolivian President Evo Morales voiced hope to resume ties with the United States "as soon as possible." The two countries recently resumed negotiations on restoring diplomatic ties after relations soured in September 2008 when Bolivia expelled U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg on grounds that Washington was interfering in its domestic issues. The United States retaliated by doing the same. In November 2008, Bolivia also expelled agents of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accusing them of spying. |