Bolivia consul withdraws from Chile after comments

SANTIAGO, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Bolivia's envoy to Chile left his post days after making sensitive statements about the two countries' relations, a Chilean foreign ministry official said.

Consul Roberto Finot told foreign correspondents in Santiago on Friday that Bolivia and Chile were in the final stages of talks that could restore full diplomatic relations for the first time in 30 years.

Chile reacted to the statements by saying Finot did not have access to information about high-level talks.

''During the afternoon, a note of protocol arrived from the Bolivian consul in Santiago signaling that Finot had terminated his functions,'' the Chilean ministry official told Reuters late today.

Further details were not provided.

Chile and Bolivia have had difficult relations since the War of the Pacific in 1883, when Bolivia lost sea access as well as control of key mining areas.

These days, Chile and Bolivia appear closer than ever to resuming diplomatic ties after they were broken off in 1978 amid disagreement over Bolivia's demands for ocean access.

REUTERS RN KP1111