The World : Bolivians Halt Drug Plan

Bolivia’s coca-leaf producers announced they will suspend a U.S.-backed crop substitution program and continue growing the plant used to make cocaine. Delegates of the Coca Growers Federation, which represents about 300,000 peasants, announced at the end of a three-day meeting that they will not abide by the voluntary program begun last year until the government makes good on its promise to develop other crops and to provide electricity, roads, education and health facilities in rural areas. The growers’ decision cast doubt on the program’s future and of continued support from the United States. American economic aid to Bolivia is conditioned on progress in reducing coca planting.