Bolivia expels US ambassador for formenting Kosovo-style separatism
Bolivia has expelled the US ambassador Philip Goldberg, accusing him of fomenting Kosovo-style separatism
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Friday, September 12, 2008
"Without fear of the empire, I declare Mr Goldberg, the US ambassador, 'persona non grata,"' said Morales, whose government has been accusing the US of following the "Kosovo scenario" in the country.
"He is conspiring against democracy and seeking the division of Bolivia," Morales said.
Goldberg was a high-ranking US envoy in the Balkans in the 90s, where he was seen as instrumental in formenting Kosovo Albanian separatism.
The announcement came after protests against Morales escalated and turned violent.
Earlier in the week opposition protesters burnt and pillaged government offices in city of Santa Cruz, which was followed by an attack on a gas pipeline that feeds the neighbouring giant of Brazil. Gas is the lifeblood of the Bolivian economy and the source of much of government revenue.
Goldberg last week infuriated President Morales when he met with Ruben Costas, the governor of Bolivia's richest province, that of Santa Cruz, which wants autonomy and has threatened secession. Santa Cruz is predominantly white, whilst the capital La Paz, set in the highlands, is more indigenous.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday ordered the American ambassador to Caracas to leave and threatened to halt oil exports to the U.S. in a show of solidarity with Morales.
Venezuela has also accused the US of formenting Kosovo-style separatism in its oil-rich regions.
