Morales sends coca leaves to George Bush

La hoja de coca selló la distensión que Evo Morales propicia con Washington. Thomas Shannon, enviado especial del presidente Bush y subsecretario de Estado para asuntos del Hemisferio Occidental, recibió con sonrisa complaciente las hojas de coca que le obsequió el presidente boliviano horas antes de su toma de posesión.

Hace unas semanas, el vicepresidente Alvaro García Linera dijo que Morales pronto daría señales claras de cambio. No hubo que esperar mucho para que se advirtieran que algo nuevo empieza en Bolivia. Evo no sólo hizo que Shannon aceptara la cita en la casa humilde en la que hasta ahora ha vivido, sino que como recuerdo le regaló hojas de coca -el producto más estigmatizado por la Casa Blanca- y carteles de propaganda del Movimiento al Socialismo.

Morales, García Linera, Shannon y el embajador estadounidense David Greenlee se acomodaron como pudieron para charlar una hora en una salita de cuatro por tres metros. La reunión fue tan distendida que al final hablaron en plena calle, la estrechez del piso no permitía acoger a tanto periodista.

Morales dijo que no se habían tocado temas puntuales. "Es el inicio de una serie de reuniones. Saben que Evo Morales todavía no tiene conformados los equipos de trabajo, por ello no hemos abordado temas puntuales. Lo haremos más tarde", dijo. Luego añadió: "He visto mucha sensibilidad en el señor Shannon cuando hablamos de temas sociales. Es la primera reunión, pero desde hemos tenido conversaciones con el embajador Greenlee. Esperamos que una vez se conformen los equipos de trabajo podamos avanzar en distintos campos. El encuentro expresa el deseo de continuar con las buenas relaciones entre Bolivia y EE.UU."

Thought you might appreciate the translation:

COKE LEAVES FOR BUSH’S EMISARY
Coke leaves sealed the ease of tension Evo Morales seeks with Washington. Thomas Shannon, special delegate from President Bush and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs received the coca leaves with a smile the Bolivian President gave him a few hours before his inauguration.
A few weeks ago, Vice President Alvaro García Linera said Morales would soon signal a change. Pretty soon a new beginning is noticeable in Bolivia. Evo not was only able to make Shannon accept the meeting in the humble home where he lived until recently, but also presented him with coke leaves —the product the White House despises the most— as well as posters with propaganda for Movimiento al Socialismo (Movement to Socialism)..
Morales, García Linera, Shannon and the US ambassador, David Greenlee made themselves as comfortable as they could to talk for an hour in a nine by four living room. The meeting was so relaxed they ended talking in the street because the size of the room could not accommodate for so many reporters.
Morales said they did not talk about specific topics. “It is the beginning of a series of meetings. You know Evo Morales has not yet formed the work teams and that is why we have not talked about specifics yet. We will later,” he said. Then he added: “I have seen a lot of sensitivity in Mr. Shannon when we talk about social issues. This is the first meeting, but since [sic] we have had talks with Ambassador Greenlee. We hope once the teams are formed, we will be able to go forward on different fields. The meeting expresses the desire to continue the good relationships between Bolivia and the USA.”

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