BOLIVIAN LAWMAKER BLOCKS EFFORTS AGAINST COCAINE

Like legislators all over the world, Evo Morales hugs babies and makes
fist-thumping speeches. But he also chews coca leaves in public.

In fact, the Bolivian congressman was not at all embarrassed to be
photographed caressing the coca bushes that grow on his property. Last
year,he ran on the slogan "Vote for Coca!"

The top leader of the coca leaf farmers union faces expulsion from Congress
for urging armed resistance to a government plan to end Bolivia's cocaine
trafficking, a congressional leader said.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)