www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-23 09:34:15

LIMA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon arrived in Bolivia Tuesday in a bid to mend ties with the Latin American country, according to reports reaching here from La Paz.

Upon his arrival at the El Alto Airport in La Paz, Shannon told the press that he hopes to set an agenda to revive strained ties with Bolivia during his trip.

"We are here to talk with the government and the people of Bolivia, to build a positive agenda in our bilateral ties." Shannon said.

Ties between the United States and Bolivia have been strained since late June, when Bolivian President Evo Morales expressed support for the expulsion of a U.S. aid group, claiming the body was actually supporting opposition parties in Bolivia under the guise of aiding local people.

The two countries had also traded accusations earlier over the granting of asylum status to a former Bolivian defense minister by the United States.
Editor: Amber Yao