New Bolivian President Threatens U.S. Advisers

Bolivia's newly elected President Evo Morales has warned that he will evict American military advisers over charges that the U.S. secretly removed Chinese-made anti-aircraft missiles from the country.

Morales, a former coca farmer and leader of the Movement to Socialism (MAS), was quoted as saying he would punish those responsible for the removal of 28 HN-SA hand-held surface-to-air missiles, as well as evict the U.S. advisers.

The missiles are similar to the American "Stinger" missiles effective against low-flying aircraft.

"I will press for a full investigation to establish responsibilities," Morales reportedly stated. "We cannot tolerate international intervention."

The removal of the missiles created a stir during the lead-up to the December 18 election after MAS officials leaked an intelligence report that said U.S. military officers, working directly with Bolivian army commanders, had removed the missiles between May and June of this year, the Washington Times reports.

At the time, MAS-led street protests had toppled the government of President Carlos Mesa and mobs were threatening to invade government installations in the capital.

"They were afraid the missiles could be used against U.S. aircraft in the event they had to evacuate their personnel or intervene," one insider told the Times.

Former Defense Minister Gonzalo Arredondo confirmed that the missiles had been flown out of the country, saying the U.S. government had urged that Bolivia give up the weapons.

Said Arredondo: "Officers attached to the military section of the embassy came to my office around August 2004, expressing preoccupation over intelligence that there were terrorist groups interested in anti-aircraft missiles with the characteristics of those we had."

Morales' bombast over the missiles is likely to further sour relations between Bolivia and the U.S. The new president has already vowed to end American drug eradication efforts in the country.