Bolivia’s Morales looks forward to better U.S. ties

President Evo Morales called for an about-face in relations with Washington on Thursday, saying past diplomatic spats could be overcome if the new U.S. government refrained from meddling in Bolivia’s affairs.

Morales met with U.S. envoy Thomas Shannon, the assistant secretary of State for Western Hemisphere affairs, who said their talks were a “good start” toward improving ties.

Morales had expelled the U.S. ambassador last year, alleging that he had conspired with the Bolivian opposition to incite violence. U.S. officials denied the charge, and former President Bush’s administration expelled Bolivia’s envoy to Washington and suspended trade preferences.

The Bolivian president said Thursday that the two nations must treat each other with “mutual respect” and Washington should not interfere in Bolivia’s internal matters -- which Morales frequently accuses U.S. officials of doing.

The leftist leader, a close ally of Venezuela and Cuba, also said U.S. aid should be channeled to his government instead of other groups in the country, which he accuses of conspiring against him.

The Bolivian government has expressed hope that relations will improve under President Obama. As recently as last month, however, Morales said he believed Washington was continuing to conspire against him.

Morales also suspended cooperation with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents last year, accusing them of espionage and funding “criminal groups” trying to undermine his government. The U.S. in turn added Bolivia to its anti-narcotics blacklist.