玻利维亚与美国恢复外交关系

Bolivia and the US have agreed to restore full diplomatic ties three years after the US ambassador to La Paz was expelled by President Evo Morales.

玻利维亚与美国宣布恢复全面外交关系。三年前美国驻拉巴斯大使遭总统驱逐。

In an agreement signed in Washington, the two nations pledged to work together to fight drug trafficking.

President Morales expelled US drug enforcement agents and the ambassador, Philip Goldberg, in 2008, accusing them of conspiring¹ against the government.

But relations have improved and talks began last year to reinstate（恢复） ties.

The agreement sees "the swift return of ambassadors to Washington and La Paz," according to a Bolivian Foreign Ministry² statement cited by Reuters news agency.

"The accord's objectives include strengthening and deepening bilateral³（双边的） relations... (and) supporting efficient co-operation against the production and trafficking of illegal drugs," the statement said.

But the pact⁴ does not mention whether US drug agents will return to Bolivia, the world's third largest cocaine⁵ producer.

In 2008, Mr Morales, a critic of Washington's policies in Latin America, accused Mr Goldberg of inciting⁶ pro-autonomy opposition⁷ leaders in the country's eastern lowlands.

The Bolivian president - who also heads the country's coca growers' union - expelled US drug enforcement agents two months afterwards.

In response, the US sent the Bolivian ambassador back.

Correspondents say relations between the two countries have gradually improved since the row, but tensions remain.

In March, Mr Morales hit out at the US government over critical drug reports which the Bolivian leader said were intended to link his government with narcotic⁸（麻醉的） smuggling⁹.