Friedsky: Coca Cookies and Constitutional Dreams

December 2, 2005
Please Distribute Widely

Dear Colleague,

For years, the people of the coca-growing Chapare region of Bolivia
lived in a militarized zone, in constant conflict with the U.S.-
financed soldiers who came to enforce the policy for forced coca
eradication. In an in-depth report today in The Narco News Bulletin,
Jean Friedsky writes that though the intense militarization of the
Chapare has mostly ended in the last year, the wounds still run deep
and the coca growers continue to struggle for their rights to farm
this ancient traditional crop.

With the increasing power of the "cocalero" movement and Chapare
leader Evo Morales top in the polls for the presidency, the ultimate
goal of full coca decriminalization may be closer than ever. Friedsky
writes:

"[Coca grower] Apolonia [Sanchez] is standing within the 1600 square
meters of coca that the government now allows her to grow. She feels
at ease, knowing that the UMOPAR officials will not appear from the
dense bush, suddenly attacking her and her land. The roadside
military checkpoints remain and soldiers roam the fields monitoring
growth but Apolonia explains that, in stark contrast to the last 16
years in the Chapare, 'we now have a relative calm.'

"'This is a time of great hope in the Chapare,' notes Egberto of
Radio Chipiriri. Despite the strong criticism of Evo from parts of
the Bolivia left, in the Chapare he is undoubtedly a hero. 'For them,
Evo is about having someone who speaks, thinks and acts like them in
the government,' Egberto adds. They draw strength and pride from his
rise to power.

"But they have real expectations as well: Chapareños want an Evo-led
government to re-write Law #1008 or introduce new legislation that
would decriminalize coca. As well, they want a state-sponsored
industrialization process.

"Evo first announced on September 20, 2005 the MAS's intention to
decriminalize the coca leaf. The announcement brought criticism from
the U.S. embassy, and the two other major presidential candidates —
Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga and Samuel Medina — quickly distanced themselves
from his proposal."

Read the full story here:

http://www.narconews.com

From somewhere in a country called América,

Dan Feder
Managing Editor
The Narco News Bulletin
http://www.narconews.com
webmaster [at] narconews.com

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