Ambassador Philip Goldberg met Monday with Bolivia's foreign minister to discuss the case and afterward promised full cooperation. But he bristled at suggestions by President Evo Morales and other Bolivian officials that the U.S. has not completely explained the ammunition's arrival.

"We will take note of these declarations, of course," Goldberg said. "I believe they are unacceptable and outside the intention of maintaining good (diplomatic) relations."

The tension began last week after customs officials at the La Paz airport discovered five boxes of 100 bullets each in the luggage of 20-year-old Donna Thi Dinh upon her arrival on an American Airlines flight from Miami. She was detained overnight and released Thursday without charge.

Dinh was bringing the bullets at the request of Col. James Campbell, a top military liaison at the U.S. Embassy, who planned to use the .40-caliber ammunition for training and target practice, Goldberg said.

Goldberg has said Dinh committed an "innocent error," but Bolivian officials have not been satisfied.
"I think we're not in the best moment in our relationship with the United States, precisely for these type of activities," President Evo Morales said on Saturday, according to the Bolivian newspaper La Prensa. "What were the bullets for? Some people don't want Bolivia to change."

On Monday, Justice Minister Celima Torrico advised Bolivians "not to be tricked by the U.S. Embassy" which "has always protected the mafia."

Campbell's gun was registered with the Bolivian government, Goldberg said. American Airlines permits its passengers to carry up to 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of small arms ammunition in checked luggage on domestic flights, but the U.S. Transportation Security Administration advises travelers to check with foreign authorities before attempting to bring bullets abroad.