Leave coca growers alone

US DRUG war policy in Bolivia has driven that nation into a deepening civil conflict between the government and its poverty stricken peasant population.

Forced coca eradication policies, which Bolivia’s government has adopted under pressure by the US government, have drawn protests, strikes and roadblocks by coca growers and other labourers in the Chapare region.

The coca growers aren’t criminals; they only wish to grow a crop that their people have grown for generations, and which represents the only currently viable alternative for many to make a living and avoid starvation for themselves and their families.

Though the cocaleros have been protesting, it is the government that has initiated the violence, and it has just exploded to a greater level.

It is deplorable that the US government would coerce Bolivia into a situation of conflict and fund agencies that commit violence against civilians.

It is equally unfortunate that US drug warriors deliberately ignore a fact that is well known to everyone else – wiping out the Chapare’s coca crop would only shift the growing to somewhere else in the world.

Hence, US policies in Bolivia are not only reckless and immoral, but are immensely stupid or dishonest as well.

Gary Meyerhoff
Rapid Creek

Newshawk: http://www.tuf.org.au
Pubdate: 29th January 2002
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Gary Meyerhoff
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Copyright: 2002 Northern Territory News