Press Statement
Gonzalo Gallegos, Director of Press Relations
Washington, DC
June 16, 2008
U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Returns to Washington for Consultations
U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip S. Goldberg will return to Washington for consultations on Embassy security in the
wake of violent protests in La Paz on Monday, June 9. The Ambassador's consultations will provide an opportunity to
explore measures to enhance security cooperation with the Government of Bolivia.
We appreciate the efforts of the Bolivian National Police to protect our Embassy and our personnel. At the same time, we
are concerned by the recent statements of some Bolivian government officials that cast doubt on Bolivia's commitment to
fulfill its Vienna Convention obligations to protect diplomatic staff and facilities in the future.
Failure to fulfill these responsibilities would endanger both American citizens and the hundreds of Bolivians who work
in the Embassy or make daily use of Embassy consular and other diplomatic facilities. We expect the Bolivian government
to continue to meet its international obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
2008/494
Released on June 16, 2008
ENDS