Bolivian President Evo Morales on Thursday called for reversing recent relations with Washington, saying previous diplomatic spats can be overcome if the new U.S. government refrains from interfering in his country's affairs. Morales met in La Paz with U.S. diplomat Thomas Shannon, the assistant secretary of state for Western hemisphere affairs, who said their discussions were a “good start” toward improving relations. The Bolivian leader said the two countries must treat each other with “mutual respect” and Washington should not meddle in Bolivia's internal matters, something he frequently accuses U.S. officials of doing. Morales also said U.S. aid should be sent to his government rather than to other groups in the country, which he accuses of conspiring against him.
