US Denies Removal of Bolivian Missiles Was Secret

The United States denied Thursday that it removedhave to talk to the Bolivian government about that. As
anti-aircraft missiles from Bolivia without the knowledgefor these other allegations, it's just not true. This was
of top officials in La Paz. The State Department saysdone at the request of the Bolivian government, and it
the operation was at the request of Bolivian authoritieswas done in partnership and consistent I would note
and in line with an Organization of American Stateswith an Organization of American States resolution on
resolution.the matter," he said.
Officials here acknowledge that the United StatesThe O.A.S. resolution, approved at the regional
removed a small number of MANPADS, man-portablegrouping's meeting in Ft. Lauderdale Florida in June,
air defense system, from Bolivia earlier this year ascalled for strict security for MANPADS, and the
part of a broader effort to keep the shoulder launchdestruction of surplus weapons.
missiles out of the hands of terrorists.It urged member countries in a position to do so to
But they are denying charges from Bolivia, whichprovide aid and technical assistance to other states in
figured in that country's presidential election campaign,collecting, securing and destroying stockpiles.
that the operation was conducted without theThe United States has worked with a number of
knowledge of senior Bolivian officials.countries around the world to reduce MANPADS
Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales, the victor in lastarsenals, especially in nations where the missiles are
Sunday's election, has alleged that the 28kept under poor security and could find their way onto
Chinese-made missiles were spirited out of the countrythe black market and into the hands of terrorists.
in June in an operation he described as internationalU.S. officials have been seeking to persuade Nicaragua
intervention.to dispose of hundreds of Russian-made MANPADs
He says he will press for an investigation of the affairacquired in the 1980's by the leftwing Sandinista
and is quoted as saying he would punish thosegovernment.
responsible and evict U.S. military advisers from theThat effort, too, has become ensnared by domestic
country.politics with the leftist-dominated Nicaraguan Congress
Questioned about the issue here, State Departmentopposing the disposal effort.
Spokesman Sean McCormack said U.S. officials hadDuring his campaign for the Bolivian presidency, Mr.
worked with the Bolivian government on the removalMorales filed a lawsuit against government officials for
of a small quantity of missiles he said were in aallegedly putting the country's national defense at risk
deteriorating condition.by disposing of the missiles.
He said the removal came at the request of theThe missile issue is another potential problem in the U.S.
Bolivian government consistent with an O.A.S.relationship with Mr. Morales, who has sparked concern
resolution last June and said suggestions to thein Washington with campaign promises to legalize
contrary are untrue:coca production in Bolivia and oppose hemispheric free
"As for who was told in Bolivia about the action, you'lltrade.