LIMA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's military chief on Monday denied a claim by the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, that the United States had encouraged Bolivian armed forces to develop a plot against their president Evo Morales, said reports from the country's capital La Paz.

    General Wilfredo Vargas, commander of Bolivia's armed forces, told a press conference on Monday that the United Stats "have not been in touch with me," and he denied any knowledge of a possible coup plot.

    Chavez on Sunday accused Washington of "warming the ears" of Bolivian soldiers in the hope of launching an anti-Morales plot, during his weekly Venezuelan television show "Alo Presidente"("Hello President"), broadcast from Tiawanacu, a highland Bolivian city 56 km west of La Paz.

    Vargas said that Bolivia's military "has to maintain a harmonious relationship (with the government)."

    Meanwhile, Bolivia's President Evo Morales told media that he had a lot of confidence in the nation's armed forces.

    On May 1, Morales announced the nationalization of the country's hydrocarbon industry, and the army moved to occupy the oil and gas fields under his orders.

    On Monday, the Bolivian president ordered the withdrawal of thetroops which had been deployed to prevent possible conflicts or problems during the nationalization process. Enditem