A Voice on the Left

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MORALES Right now, for example, U.S.-led free-trade agreements are dividing us. They don't represent our interests but rather those of foreign powers. We're proposing alternative trade pacts that allow for more national sovereignty, dignity and the defense of our identity, and that allow our natural resources to be in the hands of the state to benefit everyone.

TIME No Bolivian President has ever received the kind of international fame and spotlight that you have experienced this year. And your traditional sweaters have been celebrated in the U.S. media. Why?

MORALES I'm just the democratic voice of Bolivia. This is all really due to the new power of the indigenous movement. As for the sweaters, I've never read a U.S. newspaper, so I can't comment on that.

TIME Bolivia receives more than $100 million annually in economic aid from the U.S. Can and should relations be improved between La Paz and Washington?

MORALES We will never break off relations with the U.S. We're coming from a culture of dialogue, but dialogue without strong-arm pressures. We've met with Señorita Condoleezza--a very nice woman--and they say they want to be partners with Bolivia. But I think we still need to understand each other's definition of democracy.