Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jul 2002
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

BOLIVIAN LEFTIST HEADS TO RUNOFF

BUENOS AIRES -- A socialist and ex-coca farmer has finished a surprising 
second in Bolivia's presidential vote and will compete in a two-man runoff 
in Congress in August, according to final election results released Tuesday.

Evo Morales, an Aymara Indian and foe of U.S. foreign policy, will face off 
against Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, the center-right candidate of the 
Nationalist Revolutionary Movement, who finished first with 22.5% of the 
vote in an 11-candidate field. Morales got 20.94%

Morales wants an end to U.S.-backed programs to eradicate the cultivation 
of coca leaves, used to make both cocaine and Andean remedies. U.S. 
Ambassador Manuel Rocha has suggested that a Morales presidency would lead 
to the end of U.S. aid to Bolivia. Morales edged out Manfred Reyes Villa 
for second place by 721 votes out of 2.8 million cast.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth