La Paz, 28 feb ( EFE).- A meeting of delegations of United States and Bolivia made today in the peace concluded with very vague and modest results including a Convention by which international cooperation USAID agency gives assistance in health of 22 million dollars for the next six years.
Was the first appointment of labour following the signing of the “framework agreement” signed on 7 November in Washington to try to normalize bilateral relations, affected by the mutual expulsion of ambassadors in September 2008.
Aid in health of about 3.6 million annually, the only agreement with figure, will be awarded by USAID, agency to which the Bolivian President, Evo Morales, accused this month of promoting the espionage of non-governmental organizations and which has threatened on other occasions to expel her from the country.
The meeting was led by Deputy US Assistant Secretary in Office for Latin America, Kevin Whitakler, and the Bolivian Minister of planning, Viviana Caro.
A joint statement points out that both countries confirmed their intention to restore ambassadors in La Paz and Washington, but did not indicate when can materialize.
The two Nations announced that they will promote measures to enhance judicial cooperation, the fight against drug trafficking, the development aid and trade, among other fields, but without giving further details on none of them.
Whitaker told the media that the “framework agreement” shall apply “a regime of mutual respect” and confirmed the commitment of Washington to deliver aid programs.
Caro highlighted the Convention on health as a sign of a change in the way of investing resources, that nine of the 22 million will be administered by Bolivia.
On the request of La Paz to accelerate the extradition of the former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada (1993-1997, 2002-2003), who lives in United States and is charged with genocide in Bolivia, Whitaker said only that both countries have committed to maintaining judicial cooperation.
The American Deputy Assistant Secretary Office for Latin America, Kevin Whitaker (i), and the Bolivian Minister of planning, Viviana Caro (d), during a meeting in La Paz (Bolivia). EFE
