U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip Goldberg returned to La Paz Wednesday to seek dialogue with the country's President Evo Morales.
In his reaction, Bolivian Interior Minister Alfredo Rada expressed hope that Goldberg had not returned to intervene again in Bolivian political affairs, but would rather concentrate on fulfilling his diplomatic role.
"I hope Goldberg is not returning to rearticulate the political activism, and I expect him to come and comply with the diplomatic role that corresponds to his rank," Rada said.
Goldberg had been recalled to Washington on June 16 to discuss security matters following violent protests in front of the U.S. embassy in La Paz on June 9.
"I have come back to Bolivia as asked by the Secretary of State(Condoleezza Rice) to talk with the (Bolivian) government about the problems and issues present at this moment," Goldberg said on arrival at El Alto international airport.
"We have many problems, many issues that we have to talk about and I prefer not to talk exactly about the future of certain programs at this moment," he added.
Goldberg said it is the will of the U.S. government to improve relations with Bolivia, but this requires the goodwill of both parties as well as mutual respect.
Relations between the two countries grew tense after protesters thronged the U.S. embassy in La Paz in early June to demonstrate against the U.S. decision to give asylum to Bolivian ex-defense minister Carlos Sanchez, who is accused of genocide and monetary fraud.
Rada also expressed hope that Goldberg would not seek to unite the opposition before the nationwide referendum next month.
Bolivians will vote on Aug. 10 to decide whether President Morales, Vice President Alvaro Garcia and eight governors will remain in their posts.
Morales called the national vote following votes for autonomy in the four provinces of Santa Cruz, Pando, Tarija and Beni this year.
Source:Xinhua
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